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AN 

ACCOUNT 

Of  the 
AND 

CURE 

O  B 

LOOSNESSES. 

&    ..  ' 

LIBRA  f 


By  W.  Cockeur n,  M.  D. 

Fellow  of  the  R.  S.  and  of  the  College  of 
Phyficians  in  London. 


L  OND  Om : 

Printed  by  1\  HowUti  for  B.  B  a  r  k  s 
at  the  White  Hart  in  Wefimwfter-Hall, 
and  G.  Strahan  at  the  Golden-Ball 


againft,  the  Rqya!l-Excba?/^ey  CornhilL 


J7JO. 


t 


Invi6to  Principi 

GULIELMO  III. 

Magna:  Britannia,  Francis. 
Hiberni^e,  &c. 

REGI  Auguftiffinio, 

Imperio  Maximo,  Exemplo  Majori, 
Patriae  laborantis  Vindici,liberatse  Patri, 
Imperij  Britannici  Patrono  perpetao 

Diatriben  banc  in  Claffium 
ac  Exercitnum  Emolumen- 
turn  facratam  voluit 

Gulielmus  Cockburmis. 


THE 


PREFACE 

THE  gre.it  Defign  of  Medicine 
is  to  preferve  Health,  or  to 
recover  it  when  lojl  by  Difea- 
fes.  The  firjl  of  thefe  is  the 
mofl  Sublime,  and  promifes  the  greatejl 
Certainty  and  Succefs,  its  Methods  being 
taken  from  the  Natures  of  Difeafes,  and 
the  more  per  feci  Knowledge  of  the  ways 
of  their  being  generated.  Befides,  it  is 
the  Bufnefs  of'  Prefervative  Phyfick  to 
teach  us  fuch  Methods  as  are  proper  to 
keep  us  in  Health,  or  to  dMtover  the 
frjl  Diffo fit  ions  to  Sicknefs  :%hich  Con- 
federation  may  eafdy  convince  us  that  the 
Methods  of  ProphylaBical  Medicine  mufi 
far  exceed  thofe  of  the  Curative-,  efpeciaU 
ly  that  this  pretends  only  to  help  us  to 
recover  our  Health,  after  it  is  tntirely 
^  I  loft 


The  Preface. 


loft.  And  therefore,  as  the  Attempts  of 
the  former  are  to  remedy  the  Difpofitions 
to  fuch  Diflempers,  when  the  Utter  only 
endeavours  to  Cure,  long  after  they  are 
fettled  upon  us,  fo  the  Methods  of  the  Pre- 
ferva.tive  Phyfick  muft  be  much  more  cer- 
tain and  fuccesful :  and  any  Medicine 
that  is  effectual  for  the  Curing  a  Diftemper 
mujt  be  more  efficacious  for  Preventing  it 
when  early  adminifler^d  in  the  frjl  Re- 
move  from  Health. 

AncientPhyficians  were  perfectly  well  fatis- 
fyyd  about  the  real  Vfefulnefs  of  this  Branch 
of  Medicine,  and  fome  in  every  Age  %e flowed 
their  Time  and  Labour  upon  tt :  but  as 
their  Method  was  intricate,  their  Expe- 
riences few,  and  their  Manner  of  mana- 
ging them  none  of  the  bejl,  fo  it  is  no 
wonder  that  they  made  na  great  Pro- 
grefs  m  this  Inquiry  ;  tho1  it  cannot  be 
fajid  that  their  Endeavours  altogether 
faifid  of  Succefs.  I  am  fattsfy^d  Prefer- 
vative  Phyfick  may  be  managfd  by  ?nore 
eafy  Methods,  and  to  good  Purpofe  ;  but 
the  Difficulties  to  be  met  withal  are  not 
Arguments  fufficient  to  diffwade  any  one 
from  attempting  fo  beneficial  a  Defign  : 
and  who  is  dijcourag'd  from  Practifwg 
Phyfick,   Tho1  the   Curative  branch  la- 


The  Preface.  vii 


hours  under  a  Multitude  of  Difficulties, 
and  has  not  attakPd  to  any  tolerable  Per- 
fection in  its  Descriptions,  Methods,  and 
Cir  cum  fiances  of  Curing  ? 

Thus  far  may  be  fufficient  to  fuggefl  at 
frefent,  that  one  Way  to  Prophyl 'actual 
Phyfick  is  by  the  Road  of  the  Curative  ; 
And  that  we  are  got  a  great  Length  in 
Preventing  when  we  rightly  underjland 
the  Methods  of  Curing  Difeafes.  And 
therefore,  fince  the  two  principal  Aims  of 
Phyjicians  are  fo  nearly  ally^d,  we  can  ne- 
ver be  fufpos  d  out  of  our  Way  when 
we  fludy  to  promote  or  improve  either. 
Indeed  prejjing  Demands  were  firfl  made 
for  Curing  Difeafes,,  and  for  that  reafon 
this  Curative  Part  was  frji  and  deser- 
vedly begun,  and  has  been  efpecially  cul- 
tivated ever  fince.  It  will  therefore  be 
proper  to  confder  it  farther  in  its  Ori- 
ginal, where  the  Difficulties  of  im- 
proving it  may  reft,  and  what  may 
be  the  moft  probable  Means  to  bring 
it  to  the  Perfection  it  is  capable  of. 

At  frfi,  People  heard  the  Complaints 
and  Ailments  of  their  Neighbours,  and 
felt  their  own  \  and  fttch  Remedies  were 
adminifler*  d  as  either  Necejfity  offered,  or 
Experience  tuttght  them.    In  this  dark 

Age 


The  Preface! 


Age  of  Phyfick,  when  Danger  made  Med 
cautious,  few  inward  Medicines  were 
known ;  and  their  Stock  only  increased  by 
repeated  Experience  and  frequent  Tryals. 
§y  this  ajjiduous  Attendance  about  fick 
People,  Difeafes  began  to  be  forted  and 
defer ib'd,  the  Numbers  of  Remedies  in- 
creased every  Day,  and  the  Practice  of 
Phyfick  became  too  troublefome  to  Philo- 
fophers%  who  had  given  themfelves  up  to 
a  more  general  Study  of  Nature.  Then 
it  was  that  a  Tribe  of  thefe  Learned  Men 
apply1  d  themfelves  to  relieve  People  lan- 
guishing under  Pain  and  Diflempers. 

This  Increafe  of  Difeafes  and  Medi- 
cines had  another  Efjeff  :  For  the  Difea- 
fes did  not  only,  become  numerous,  but 
mix*d  alfo  with  one  another,  that  it  was 
not  eafy  to  dijlmguifh  them,  nor  which 
were  the  Caufes  or  Conferences  of  a 
Dijlemper :  and  the  Remedies  were  fb 
inconflant  in  their  Operation,  that  no  Rea- 
fon  nor  Experience  could  determine  their 
Choice,  fometimes  they  fucceeded,  fome- 
times  they  faiPd  of  Succefs,  and  often 
had  Effelts  contrary  to  thofe  expected 
from  them.  Now  whether  thefe  firange 
&nd  different  Succeffes  were  owing  to  any 
Mijlake   in  judging  of  the  Dijlemper4 


The  Preface. 


and  the  Mifapplication  of  the  Medicines% 
or  that  the  Nature  of  a  Difeafe  did  not 
continue  to  he  the  jame^  gave  an  Occa- 
fwn  to  new  Inquiries  and  much  Specula- 
tion. 

Tho*  there  is  not  any  Dijlemper  that 
is  not  incumbered  with  fuch  Difficulties^ 
yet  they  are  not  equal  in  every  oney  and 
the  rnojt  fimple  and  difengagd  had  fo  ma- 
ny that  even  now  we  find  them  no  whet\ 
explained.  If  any  Dijeafe  hot  fimple  and 
obvious  Appearances^  it  is  a  Loofnefsy 
the  Dijlemper  under  Conjideration  in  the 
following  Book  \  and  as  this  is  jlill  found 
embarajfd  in  its  Nature  and  Practice 
with  fome  of  the  mentioned  Difficulties^ 
what  mujl  we  imagine  the  Conditon  of 
thofe  Difeafes  to  bey  whofe  Appearances 
are  perplex1  dy  and  hard  to  be  traced  to, 
their  Original:  It  will  not  therefore  be 
thought  improper  to  bring  Injlances  of 
what  I  now  alledge  from  the  Book  it  felf 
Fir  ft  theny  a  right  Examination  of  Symp- 
toms in  order  to  difcover  an  original  Dij- 
temper  is  found  to  be  very  difficult  in 
our  daily  -  Practice  •  much  of  this  Diffi- 
culty abates  in  putting  the  Question  about 
an  EJfential  and  Sympathical  Loojnejs, 
however  hard  it  is  to  collect  the  Symp- 
toms 


The  Preface. 


t orris  in  fuch  a  manner  that  they  may  be 
farted  and   determined  in  a  particular 
Cafe :  for  which  reafon,  the  dire  ft  Me- 
thod of  Cure  of  Symptomatical  Loofnejfes 
is  extremely  perplexing,  even  after  the 
kind  of  Loofnefs  is  dif covered  :  and  there- 
fore  Cafes  of  fuch  Loofmffes  are  left  for 
farther  Confederation   in  this  Treatife. 
Then,  nothing  is  more  ordinary  in  Books 
of  Phyfick  than  to  find  Appearances  re- 
lated as  Symptoms  of  a  Dijeafe,  which  in 
effect  are  only  the  Conferences  of  its 
Continuance  ;  and  Obfervation  is  altoge- 
ther wanting  in  giving  m    the  Caujesy 
Symptoms,  or  Conferences  in  fome  Di- 
feajes.    Caruncles  and  Corruption  are 
laid  dovrn  as  Symptoms  of  a  Dyfentery, 
thd*.  they  are  the  genuine  Product  of  its 
Continuance.    But  in  cafe  of  a  Liente- 
rv,  every  thing  is  at  prefent  under  that 
Confufwn,  that  it  is  not  eafy  to  diflinguijh 
it  from  a  common  Diarrhoea,  neither  is 
its  Caufes  or 'Symptoms  tolerably  ajfigtfd^ 
nay  but  few  adduced  as  fuch.    This  is 
the  Cafe  even  in  a  Diarrhoea,  every  Part 
cf  our  Body,   and  each  of  its  Liquors 
are  fuppos*d  to  furnifi  a  difiinct  one.  In 
&  word,  Phyficians  may  fufpeci  that  fome 
things  we  eat  and  drink,  occafion  a  Loof- 
nefs 


The  Preface 


nefsy  hecaufe  of  fome  Diforders  that  fol- 
low fomettmes  upon  them :  but  this  is  far 
from  being  cone  lu five,  fince  the  lajl  thing 
taken  (whether  that  be  Food  or  Phyfick) 
is  chargd  with  producing  the  Difeafe  that 
enfues.  But  as  it  could  not  be  deter^ 
mirfd  whether  thefe  Irregularities  in  Diet 
are  the  Caufes  of  a  Loofnefs,  neither  can 
Indications  be  formed  from  fuch  general 
Surmifes  :  fo  that  it  is  no  Wonder  that 
the  Cure  and  Practice  fo  rarely  fucceed. 
It  is  much  after  the  fame  manner,  that 
Phyficians  obfervyd  fome  Changes  in  the 
Air,  difpos^d  People,  to  have  a  Loof- 
nefs, and  that  People  at  a  certain  Age, 
upon  fome  Particularity  of.  Conjlitution, 
are  afflicted  with  this  Diftemper  :  but  as 
they  know  nothing  of  the  Means  whereby 
a  Loofnefs  is  brought  about  by  thefe  fuf 
pected  Caufes,  fo  it  remained  doubtful 
whether  this  was  the  real  Effect,  or  was 
only  a  Concomitant  with  fomething  elfe 
more  powerful.  And  therefore  it  is  but  a 
Guefs,  however  true  fome  Caufe  may  pof 
fibly  be,  nor  had  they  any  better  Method 
whereby  they  might  confirm  their  fir  ft  Ob- 
fervation.  This  is  abfolutely  true  from 
what  the  Learned  Celfus  relates  about 
the  natural  Ways  Loofneffes  take  to  work 
themfelves  of ;  which  Obfervation  is  not 

generally 


The  Pref  a  c  e.' 

generally  true,  as  appears  by  what  is  /aid 
m  that  Subject  in  the  following  Book. 

This  contrary  Experience  was  an  early 
"Check  an  their  common  Observation,  and 
convinced  them  at  the  fame  time,  that 
feme  Method  and  Expedient  was  to  be 
devised,  whereby  ju'ch  Particularities  might 
be  brought  under  Laws.  Some  of  thefe 
Phyfcians  thought  Practice  and .  farther 
Experience  might  in  turn  prove  fufficient 
to  clear  thofe  Difficulties,  that  as  Medi- 
cine had  begun  and  had  hitherto  pro- 
ceeded on  that  Foot,  fo  this  w#s  the  mojl 
likely  Method  to  perfect  it.  Others  were 
altogether  of  a  different  Opinion,  and  be- 
lieved the  bejl  Means  to  remove  fuch 
Difficulties  were  by  comparing  thefe  Ob- 
fervations  among  themfelves,  and  by  in- 
quiring what  the  Nature  of  a  Human 
Body  might  be,  that  made  it  thus  UabU 
to  be  ajjetfed  by  thefe  fupposJd  Caufes : 
and  that  Cujlom  and  Practice  are  not 
fufficient  to  extricate  us  out  of  fo  great 
Confufwn.  Herein  confifls  the  only  Dif- 
ference among  Phyfcians,  and  whatever 
'may  be  /aid  as  to  the  Goodnefs  of  the 
Caufe  of  the  contending  Parties,  it  mufl 
be  owtf  d  that  the  lafi  of  thefe  have  pre- 
fer ib^d  themfelves  the  mo  ft  difficult  and 

laborious 


The  Preface.  iiii 


laborious  Employment ;  it  being  a  double 
Trouble  to  ,  make  Observations y  and  to 
txdmine  them  fo  as  to  bring  them  un- 
der a  Method  and  Rule,  whereby  the 
Improvement  of  Health  and  the  Ad- 
vancement if  Medicine  proceed  at  the 
fame  time.  For  as  Obfervation  is  ac- 
knowledged by  Reajbning  Plryficians,  not 
only  for  a  Foundation  but  the  Tryal  like- 
wife  of  their  Labour,  it  is  chiefly  and 
principally  Jludyyd  by  them  :  and  Jtis  by 
plain  and  fimple  Obfervation  they  ever 
hope  to  bring  Medicine  to,  any  Perfection* 
And  therefore  Obfervation  being  the  frfi 
Care  of  a  ReafoningPhyftcidn,it  were  unrea- 
finable  to  think  that  he  fhould  be  deprived 
of  tts  Advantages  upon  that  account 
whereas  Empiricks  freely  forego  what  Bene- 
ftc  an poffibly  arifefrom  Reafoning,  tho1  we 
foould  grant  that  Obfervations  might  be 
collected  and  put  in  order,  without  the 
Help  and  VJe  of  our  Reafon  \  which  rs 
jufl  as  poffible  as  to  adjujl  the  Mate- 
rials  of  a  regular  Building  into  Form 
by  Gucfs,  and  without  our  Reafon,  This 
indeed  is  fo  grgfs,  that  it  is  hard  to  think 
Men  capable  'of  efpoufing  fuch  Abfur du- 
ties, if  daily  Experience  did  not  at t eft 
it)  and  that  we  are  ajfur^d  that  Men 

tak? 


xiv      The  Prefac e- 


take  up  with  any  thing,  fo  foon  its  Rea- 
fon  thwarts  their  Inter eft  and  Pretences. 
This  has  been  the  Cafe  in  all  times,  anil 
(a)  Celfus  reasons  with  thofe  of  his  time 
much  after  the  fame  manner*  Neither 
(fays  he,  fpeaking  of  thefe  two  forts  of 
Phyficians)  is  there  properly  any  Ad- 
vantage got  to  the  Profeffion  of  Em- 
piricks,  but  rather  a  Prejudice  to  it  : 
becaufe  the  Dogmatifts  confider  ma- 
ny things,  whereas  they  only  attend 
to  things  the  moft  common  and  eafy; 
For  as  they  who  cure  Cattle  and  la- 
bouring Beafts,  infill  only  on  thefe 
common  and  obvious  Symptoms,  fince 
fuch  as  are  proper  cannot  be  difcover'd 
in  dumb  Animals,  So  Foreigners  are 
only  apprised  of  thefe  common  things, 
being  ignorant  of  the  particular  Reafon- 
ing  in  Phyfick.  And  they  who  are  for 
feeding  the  Sick  plentifully  take  Refuge 
in  thefe  common  things,  becaufe  they 
cannot  provide  againft  every  Appear- 
ance with  all  their  Care.  Nor  were  an- 
cient Phyficians  ignorant  of  thefe  things: 
but  they  neither  depended  upon  them, 
nor  thought  them  fufficient.  And  there- 
fore 


GO  Prxf.  pag.  17. 


The  Prefac e. 


fore  Hippocrates  ( a  mofl  ancient  AMor ) 
faid  that  a  Phyfician  ought  to  cure 
both  Common  and  Proper  Symptoms. 

We  are  taught  from  this  Account  of  Cel- 
fus,  that  Hippocrates  and  he  thought 
thefe  Proper  and  peculiar  Symptoms  were 
only  the  proper  Subject  of  Reafon,  and 
that  it  cannot  he  fuppos^d  that  Reafbning 
Phyficians  are  Enemies  to  Obfervation7 
hut  only  they  think  it  not  fujjicient  for 
bringing  Medicine  to  the  Perfection  it  may 
admit  of. 

Secondly,  If  Reafoning  were  debarred 
from  the  Art  of  Medicine,  we  could  not 
correct  a  falfe  Obfervation.  And  there- 
fore Empiricks  mufl  either  pretend  all 
their  Observations  are  infallible,  or  con- 
fefs  that  the-  true  and  genuine  Obferva- 
tions  cannot  be  dijlinguijh^d  :  becaufe  all 
of  them  are  admitted  upon  the  fame  Au- 
thority, however  contradictory  fome  of  them 
appear  on  the  leajl  Reflection  ;  and  therefore 
all  of  them  are  equally  good  and  ujefuly 
even  thofe  that  are  contrary  to  the  plain- 
eft  Experience.  Perhaps  ancient  Phyficians 
might  be  feriom  in  this  Difput'e,  before 
Numbers  of  Obfervations  informed  them 
o'therwife  :  but  at  prefent  the  Controverfy 
is  fallen  except  among  fome  few,  whora* 

th 


xvi      The  Preface; 


ther  fiart  it  for  d  Cloak  to  their  Ignorance 
both  of  Observation  and  Re a/on ,  than 
that  they  make  any  Part  of  KjiowledgS 
to  have  any  Share  of  their  Concern. 

But  laftly,  It  is  evident  that  Obfer- 
v  at  ion  alone  cannot  lead  us  into  the  lea  ft 
Steddinefs  in  the  Practice  of  Medicine, 
or  help  us  to  difcover  the  Nature  of  any 
Difeafe,  fuppofwg  we  could  be  fully  ap- 
prised of  all  the  Caufes  of  a  Difeafe,  that 
we  were  thorowly  acquainted  with  all  our 
Humours  or  Liquors,  and  that  thefe 
Caufes  never  operated,  together,  becaufe 
Nature  does  not  proceed  always  in  a 
fimple  way :  fo  that  unlefs  we  could  fall 
by  Obfervation  on  that  infinite  Variety  that 
is  the  Refult  of  fuch  a  working,  we  cannot 
hope  to  make  any  con fider able  Progrefs  in 
Medicine.  Now  that  Nature  affetts  thefe 
different  and  fhorteft  Methods  is  unde- 
niable by  what  appears  from  the  Solution 
of  my  Problem  about  Purging  and  Vomi- 
ting Medicines.  What  Medicines  have 
been  fo  frequeiHly  adminijler^d  as  they, 
yet  our  repeated  Obfervations  carryid  us 
no  farther  in  this  Particular,  than  Ob- 
fervation is  confefs^d  to  do  in  other  more 
difficult  and  perplexed  Cafes.  Nor  is  it 
poffible  for  a  Variety  that  is  great  and 

numerous 


The  Preface. 


xvii 


numerous  on  fo  fmall  a  Difference  ever 
to  have  fallen  under  the  reach  of  Obferva- 
tion.  And  therefore  we  may  conclude 
with  the  Learned  (a)  Celfus,  that  Me- 
dicine ought  to  be  manag'd  by  Reafon  ; 
but  that  it  mull  be  rais'd  upon  evi- 
dent Caufes,throwing  away  every  thing 
obfcure  from  the  Art  it  felf,  tho'  not 
from  the  Confideration  of  the  Artift. 

Since  it  thus  appear  sy  that  Reafoning  is 
neceffary  to  be  joyn^d  with  Obfervation^  in 
order  to  bring  Medicine  to  the  perfec- 
tion it  is  capable  of  it  is  likewife  evi- 
dent what  the  Courje  is  we  are  to  take'  in 
profecuting  this  Defign  of  Improving 
it.  This  is  bejl  known  by  reflecting  on 
the  mentioned  Difficulties.  Firft  then, 
the"  different  and  fometimes  contrary  Sue- 
cejfes  in  Practice  are  to  be  reckoned  among 
the  Difficulties  thatm  chiefly  recommend  Im- 
proving to  our  Confideration.  The  Sa- 
gacious Doftor  Sydenham  comprehends  all 
his  Wants  under  two  general  Heads^  a 
confummate  and  fixed  Method  of  Prac- 
tice :  and  in  order  to  that  he  requires 
a  Graphick  and  natural  DepTiption  of 
Difeafes ;  fo  that  in  the  general  tie  is  right j 
a  but 


(a)  Pr3?f.  pag.  20, 


xviii     The  Preface. 

but  he  is  not  fo  ready  to  tell  us  the  Me- 
thod of  attaining  it*  He  would  indeed 
have  his  Defer  ipt  ions  very  aeurate^  even 
to  come  up  to  thofe  of  Plants  by  Botanijls, 
that  the  conftant  and  proper  Symp- 
toms may  be  fever'd  trom  fiich  as  are 
accidental  and  adventitious ;  that  the 
Seafon  of  the  Year  may  be  noted 
wherein  there  is  a  remarkable  Run  of 
Diftempers;  and  laflly,  that  every  Phi- 
lofophical  Hypothecs  belaid  afide  in  this 
Inquiry:  This  being  done,  he  does  not 
que  (I  ion  but  that  the  Practice  of  Di- 
feafes  might  be  more  compleaty  fix*dy  and 
confummate.  In  a  ivord,  in  order  to  have 
genuine  and  natural  Defcriptions  of  Di- 
feafesy  we  are  only  to  relate  the  conftant 
and  proper  Symptoms  r  but  the  Seafon  of 
the  Tear  alone  is  not  fufficient ;  many  other 
Caufes  be  fides  thaty  concurring  to  produce 
>any  Diflemper.  And  as  a  Multitude  of 
Symptoms  and  Caufes  are  plainly  taken  in 
which  are  accidental  and  adventitious  fo- 
they  are  enly  to  be  feparaled  by  Rtxfony 
not  Hypothefis  ;  as  has  been  fully  proved*. 
Are  Old  People,  and  People  of  other 
Ages  but  of  forne  particular  Conititu- 
tions,  obnoxious  to  a  Lco\ntfsl  b  is  ma- 
nifest that  the  Truth  of  this  Q$fetvAtiom 

.not 


The  Preface. 


xix 


Cannot  be  made  good,  amongfi  many  other 
red  and  fuppos'd  Caufes,  otherwife  than  by 
examining  the  Frame  and  Conftitutions 
of  Men.    Would  rve  know  if  Changes  of 
Air  or  Seafons  are  fufficient  Caujes  of  a, 
Loofnefs,   in  that  cafe  furely  rve  ought  to 
know  fome  Properties  of  Air  whereby  it 
affects  US)  and  in  what  manner ;  fo  that 
it  may  difpofe  the  Humours  of  our  Body 
to  run  off  in  a  Loofnefs  :  all  which  are  ne- 
€6ffar)  Confiderations  to  a  Phyfician  who 
would  cure  that  Difeafe  with  regard  to  its 
Caufes.    For  which  reafon  early  Inquiries 
were  made  into  the  Nature  of  Air  :  and 
upon  this  account^  (a)  Hippocrates  thought 
Aftronomy  a  neceffary  Part  of  Medicine  ; 
as  did  (b)  Galen,  and  long  after  them 
Profper  Martianus,  Fernelius,  and  others. 
Errours  of  Diet  likewife  have  been  rec- 
koned among  other  Caufes  of  hoofneffes  : 
and  therefore  before  rve  can  determine  the 
Sufficiency  offuch  fuppos'd  Caufes,  we  ought 
to  be  well  appris  d  in  the  whole  Doffrine 
of  Concoction  and  Nutrition.    Thofe  Par- 
ticulars  are  manifeflly  necejfary  for  our  fe- 
farating  real  from  alledgd  Caufes ?  whether 
a  2  they 

(a)  Lib.  de  Aere,  loc.  &  aq.  Lib.  de  infoinn, 
Lib.  i  de  vift&s  ratione.  (Jb)  ad  Text*  i.  Lib.  i, 


The  Prefac e. 


they-  are  thought  Philofophy  or  not ;  and 
every  Phyfician  is  daily  fuppos'd  to  go  tho- 
row  thefe  general  Considerations  bef  ore  he 
prefcribes  for  a  feck  Perfon  :  and  if  this 
proves  a  new  Thought  to  an)  oney  let  htm 
examine  himfelf  about  the  Propriety  of 
different  Medicines  recommended  for  the 
Cure  of  a  Diftemper,  and  he  will  be 
convinced  of  this  NeceJJity  before  he  get 
thorow  thofe  Inquiries* 

*Twere  a  Work  equally  tedious  and  un- 
neceffary  to  make  the  proposed  Inquiry  at 
this  time ;  any  one  of  the  mentioned  Injlan- 
ces  may  ferve  the  prefent  Occafwn  :  and 
therefore  by  taking  a  curfory  View  of  the 
frfl  Particular)  we  may  inform  our 'f elves 
in  what  is  neceffary  for  us  to  know  on 
that  Subject.  Firft  tbeny  in  order  to  be 
informed  about  the  Frame  of  a  Man's  Bo- 
dyy  and  whether  it  be  fo  fajbiori *d  that  the~ 
Liquors  properly  difpos'd  by  outward  and 
inward  Accidents  may  run  off  in  a  Loof 
nefsy  taking  it  to  pieces  and  examining 
its  Machines^  together  with  the  Communi- 
cation of  its  Canalsy  or  Anatomy,  is  of 
principal  Vfe.  Ancient  Phyfecians  were 
early  convinced  of  this  Truthy  and  appl/d 
themfelves  to  the  Study  of  it  with  great 
Induflry  and  Succefs :  but  as  all  'Unier- 

takwgs 


The  Preface.  xxi 

takings  of  this  Nature  not  only  gratify 
our  "Curiofity,  but  furnifi  us  with  new 
Themes  of  Contemplation,  fo  the  Difcove- 
ries  of  Anatomy  reprefented  to  us  jo  cu- 
rious a  Difpofition  of  Machines,  that  at 
once  raised  our  Admiration  to  find  thofe 
of  different  Vfe  fo  properly  placed  as  not 
to  interfere  with  any  other  tn  performing 
their  Office.  There  were  joon  brought  to 
"view  Veffels  of  different  Makes,  and  as 
different  Bores,  with  a  delightful  Variety 
of  Liquors  contained  in  them :  And  the 
farther  Purfuit  of  this  Study,  has  informed 
us  of  the  Communication  among  thefe  Ca- 
nals \  that  thefe  various  Liquors  are  fepa- 
rated  from  the  Blood,  mofi  of  them  re- 
turning into  it  again,  and  many  thrown 
quite  out  of  the  Body  ;  and  fattly,how 
this  Mother  Ocean  it  felf  is  fupply'd. 

If  we  then  purfue  our  frfl  Defign,  we 
rnufi  again  diffect  thefe  Machines  in  or- 
der  to  be  informed  of  the  Way  they  fub- 
fifi,  to  examine  their  Contrivance,  Power, 
and  Vfe  :  and  how  are1  they  to  be  examined 
but  by  common  Senfe,  and  as  that  is  im- 
proved by  Experience  and  Learning,  whe- 
ther this  may  help  our  Reafoning,  or  bring 
fomething  analogous  and  of  the  like  Na- 
ture lo  our  Ajfijlance.  Hence  it  was  that 
a  3        (a)  Hippocrates 


> 


The  Preface 


(^JHippocrates  advised  his  Son  Thefla^ 
lus  to  joyn  the  Study  of  Geometry  and 
Arithmetic!*  with  his  Experience  of 
Medicine,  becaufe  they  are  of  great  Ufe 
in  confidering  the  Situation  of  the 
Bones,  and  Joynts  put  out  of  their 
Place,  and  for  knowing  more  particu- 
larly the  Structure  and  Compofition 
of  the  Parts.  As  this  was  the  early  Ad- 
vice  of  the  Divine  Hippocrates,  fo  the 
Advantages  arifing  from  this  Method  are 
only  known  to  thofe  who  are  acquainted 
with  Improvements  made  that  Way  by 
Galen,  Steno,  Borellus-  Bellini,  KeilL 
Freind,  and  fome  other  Modern  Authors. 
If  again,  we  would  inform  our  felves  m 
the  Nature  of  the  Liquors  contained  in 
the  Vejfels,  Chymijlry  when  duely  improved 
muft  prove  of  excellent  Service  :  and  I 
dare  ajfert,  that  it  will  never  arrive  at  its 
Perfection  till  induflrious  Inquirers  are 
inflrucled  in  the  Methods  of  Doctor  Freind. 
Be  that  how  it  will]  it  is  certain  that  our 
Inquiries  about  the  Separation  of  thefe 
Liquors  from  their  Ocean,  the  Blood,  can 
never  be  fatisffd,  but  by  knowing  the 
Difpofitions  it  receives  by  its  different 
Velocities,  and  bow  they  may  be  artifi- 
cially 

(ii)  Epiftola  A'S  Theft 


The  Preface.  xxiii 

xialh  retarded  or  decelerated  towards  their 
Separation.  But  this  is  exprejly  Mecha- 
nicks  ;  a  Learning  lately  brought  to  per- 
fection and  reduced  to  a  Science,  and.  ♦ 
whofe  Bujinefs  tt  is  to  confider  the  Quan- 
tity of  Motion  in  all  Bodies.  Thefc  Me- 
chanical Difpofitions  feem  principally  to  be 
prepared  by  that  mutual  Attra&ion  of 
the  Parts  of  Matter ,  excellently  fet  forth 
by  the  Learned  and  Ingenious  (a)  Mr. 
Keill,  and  wonderfully  confirmed  by  what 
bis  Brother  and  Doctor  Freind  have  fjewn: 
and  indeed  thefe  Principles  fo  beautifully 
jlluflrate  Philojophy  and  Medicine ,  that 
I  would  have  them  equally  fuppos^d  and 
under  flood  in  my  following  Reafoning,  as 
well  as  the  Oeconomia  Animalis,  or  any 
thing  elfe,  becaufe  they  cannot  become  plain 
enough  without  them. 

After  all,  Reafoning  in  Medicine  does  not 
appear  fo  monjlrous  as  fome  would  per- 
jwade  us  :  and  tho*  the  Methods  of  Rea- 
foning may  he  different  according  to  the 
Capacities  of  Men,  the  Ways  of  their  Edu- 
cation and  Learning,  yet  all  who  drive  at 
the  fame  Purpofe,  would  be  glad  to  account 
for  their  Obferv ationsynd  Experience  ;  and 
if  Truth  and  Knowledge  are  their  prin- 

■   a_4  cipal 

(a)  Phil.  Tranf.  K*.  313. 


xxiv       The  Preface. 


cipal  Aim,  they  muff  agree  at  laff,  the? 
they  /peak  different  Language s,  or  employ 
different  Methods.  It  was  excellently  well 
•  [aid  by  Celfus,  Neque  enim,  fi  quis  non 
omnia  tenet,  quae  rationalis  alius  pro- 
bat,  protinus  alio  novo  nomine  artis 
indiget.  There  ought  to  he  no  falling  out 
among  People  that  drive  at  the  fame  Pur- 
pofe  by  different  Ways.  This  we  may  he 
perfevaded  is  the  mojl  direct  Method  for 
attaining  to  a  Graphick  Defer iption  of  Di- 
feafes  in  their  Caufes  and  Nature,  and 
as  the  Cure  very  much  depends  on  a  right 
Vnder (landing  of  them,  Jo  it  is  infeenjibly 
tho°  wonderfully  promoted  by  fuch  Defer  ip- 
iions.  Doutor  Sydenham  is  of  Opinion, 
that  he  fljould  never  fail  of  fending  d 
Medjcine  feufficient  to  cure  any  Djfieifiper, 
provided  he  had  a  compleat  Hiffory  of 
it ;  the  different  Appearances  leading  him 
unerringly  in  the  right  Way  he  is  to  pro- 
need  in  .  Which  Appearances  indeed  conduct 
us  to  the  mojl  obvious  Indications,  if  they  are 
properly  compared  among  them/elves,  and 
thefe  Indications  are  certainly  taken  from 
%he  fecret  Method  of  Nature,  and  not  from 
the  Mffakes  of  Ir&igination  and  fancy. 

This  feemmg  to  me  the  mojl- natural 
and  exact  Method  for  improving  the  Prac- 

;     .  tice 


The  Preface.  xxv 


tice  of  Medicine j  and  to  which  Doctor 
Sydenham  and  fame  of  the  bejl  Authors 
generally  agree,  I  have  endeavoured  to  work 
out  the  following  Treatife  after  my  pro- 
posed Model.  How  I  have  jucceeded  will 
he  heft  known  by  perufing  the  Book  :  yet  v 
this  ffjort  Account  of  what  I  have  ftudy*d 
to  perform,  may  he  necejfary  towards  pre- 
paring the  Reader  with  a  general  Notion 
of  it.  And  therefore  having  confider^d 
the  common  Accounts  given  of  Loofneffes 
and  the  Structure  of  the  Guts,  which  are 
mojl  immediately  concerned  in  this  lndifpofi- 
tion,  it  became  eafy  to  difcover  the  imme- 
diate Caufes  of  every  Loofnefs.  From  this 
Step  I  proceed  to  find  what  have  been  fup- 
pos^d,  or  really  may  be,  the  Caufes  of  Loof- 
neffes  :  and  by  comparing  thefe  fufpected  and 
remote  Caufes  with  the  immediate  former- 
ly difcover^d,  I  foon  came  to  dijlinguijh 
between  real  and  fuppos^d,  con fl ant  and 
adventitious  Caufes ;  and  with  this  Ad- 
vantage, that  mo  (I  commonly  the  Errors 
which  mifled  Authors  are  likewife  pointed 
out. 

'.  But  to  be  farther  convinced  of  the  Ufe- 
fulnefs  of  this  JMethod,  the  concomitant 
Symptoms  of  Loofneffes  are  explained  from 
theje  Caufes  •  and  it  evidently  appears  how 

each 


xxvi 


The  Preface 


each  of  them  are  produced  by  the  Guts 
being  affected  by  Diet,  Air,  and  o- 
ther  recited  Caufes  and  accidental  Symp- 
toms :  and  a  Multitude  of  til  ground- 
ed Dijeafes  rifing  out  of  them^  are  detec- 
ted and  eafily  diffinguiflfd.  So  that  it 
again  appeals  that  thefe  Symptoms  are 
the  genuine  Effect  of  thefe  Caufes  :  and  as 
from  rightly  underflanding  the  Caufes  and 
Symptoms  of  a  Difeafe  we  become  ap- 
prised of  its  Nature,  jo  by  this  Explana- 
tion rve  are  informed  about  the  Nature  of 
Loofneffes,  and  that  in  a  moft  accurate 
Method,  and  perfectly  natural.  Thus  ha- 
ving the  neceffary  Connexion  between  the 
-Caufe  of  any  Difeafe  and  its  Symptoms 
or  Effects y  it  is  not  difficult  to  fnd  out 
the  Caufe  by  confidering  the  Effect',  or  to 
know  the  Effect  that  a  certain  Caufe  will 
produce.  And  therefore  it  is  that  I  proceed  in 
thefe  different  Methods  in  the  Diarrhoea 
and  Dyfentery,  Mid  I  endeavour  to  in- 
vefligate  the  Symptoms  from  the  Caufes  in 
the  fir  ft  cafe,  and  the  Caufes  from  the 
Symptoms  in  the  I  aft :  and  from  this  rve 
may  conjecture  how  probably  I  fupply  the 
Defect  of  Obfervation  in  the  Cafe  of  a  Li- 
entery  and  Cceliack  Affection,  and  that 
from  the  Account  1  give  of  the  Symptoms 


The  Preface.  xxvii 

of  thefe  Difeafes,  fince  nothing  is  more  evi- 
dent than  a  Want  of  the  Hifiory  of  Cau-  p 
fes  and  Symptoms ,  which  may  foon  be  col- 
lected if  due  regard  be  had  to  the  Rules  I 
mention  in  that  Place. 

'Tis  by  rightly  comparing  thefe  Caufes  and 
Effects  that  we  di  [cover  the  Nature  of 
any  Difeafe  ;  and  from  this  Difcovery  we 
make  of  tts  Nature  we  raife  Indications 
and  Methods  of  Cure ,  and  pom  both 
thefe  confider^d  together,  we  are  able  to 
foretel  what  is  like  to  enfue  in  the  Courfe 
of  the  Dijlemper.  The  Indications  muft 
always  be  Infallible,  and  ^PrognoiHck 
fo  far  true  as  we  j--dge  right  of  the  State 
of  the  Difeafe  and  the  Force  of  the  Me- 
dicines. And  therefore,  for  our  better  un- 
derftanding  this  Part  of  the  Inquiry^  I 
have  jhewn  how  the  Appearances  that  Juc- 
ceed  a  Loofnefs  depend  upon  the  Conti- 
nuance of  tts  Symptoms,  and  as  they  are 
kept  up  by  the  Caufes  that  frfl  produced 
them :  Prom  this  Confideration  we  fnd  it 
eafy  to  determine  what  fucceeding  Ap- 
pearances are  genuine,  or  the  neceffary 
Confluences  of  fuch  Caufes,  and  what  are 
only  adventitious  :  for  fince  they  muft  de- 
pend on  the  Method  of  Practice,  the  Sea- 
lon  of  the  Year,  Diet,  and  Conftitu- 

tions 


xxviii     The  Preface. 


tions  of  feck  People,  fo  we  may  difcern 
jhis  or  the  other  Symptom,  not  commonly 
attending  a  Loofnefs,  but  proceeding  from 
fuch  an  Accident  in  fome  of  the  mentioned 
Particulars.  By  this  we  are  inflructed  in 
the  Errours  of  Practice,  and  the  Approaches 
of  Danger, whereby  the  Prognoftick  becomes 
eafy,  neither  are  we  left  to  Fancy  in  in- 
fur  ing  Health  or  foreboding  an  unfortunate 
Ijfue*  By  this  Kjiowledge  we  are  directed 
to  the  bejl  and  mojl  proper  Practice,  whe- 
ther the  Loajnefs  be  Simple  or  Complicated, 
Effential  or  Symptomatical:  and  it  is  evi- 
dent that  any  Medicine  which  cures  Effen- 
tial Loofnefjh  the  mojl  univerfally,  will 
have  the  bejl  Effect  in  thofe  that  are  Symp- 
tomatical, if  it  be  duely  admmijler^d,  tho* 
the  Loojnejs  be  a  Symptom  of  another  Di- 
feafe,  and  its  Return  be  prevented  by  ha- 
ving regard  to  the  principal  Dijlemper. 

7  he  only  thing  that  may  feem  omitted  is 
An  Account  of  fuch  Medicines  among  all  theft 
that  are  recommended  for  curing  hoofneffes, 
as  will  prove  the  mojl  univerfally  Good.  This 
will  appear  in  fome  meafure  from  the  Theory 
of  the  Difeafe ;  for  if  we  know  how  a  fed: 
Perfon  is  ill,  we  are  led  to  the  kinds  of 
Medicine  we  want  :  and  as  a  farther  Ac- 
count was  impracticable  while  the  K^now- 


The  Preface.  xxix 

ledge  of  the  Medicines  is  thus  obfcure^  I 
Utd  this  afide  for  fome  time  till  a  Me- 
thod for  finding  their  Faculties  and 
Powers  he  given.  We  are  opprefs^d  with 
Number sy  hut  cannot  he  faid  to  know  the 
Virtues  of  One.  This  better  Vfe  of  the 
Medicines  will  be  more  pofitive  by  what  is 
related  in  the  Hiflories  and  Cafes  I  have 
added  at  the  End  of  each  Chapter  ,  all  which 
will  be  more  manifejl  in  the  following  Book* 


THE 

■ 


CONTENTS. 

An   Account  of  Loofnejfes  in 
General. 


PHyficians  proceeding 
altogether  on  Obfcr- 
vation,  are  only  ap- 
pris'd  of  the  molt 
common  and  obvious 
Symptoms  of  Diftem- 
pers.  Page  t. 

A  Loofnefs  is  a  molt  ob- 
vious Diftemper,  2. 
But  the  Methods  of  cu- 
ring it  very  perplex'd. 

3. 

The  Stomach  and  Intef- 
tines  are  the  Seat  of 
Loofhefles.  4. 

A  Defcription  of  the 
Guts,  5. 

And  of  the  Stomach.  7. 

Whatever    makes  the 

A 


Stools  liquid,  or  increa- 
fes  the  Periftaltick  Mo- 
tion of  the  Guts,  is  the 
immediate  Caufe  of  2 
Loofnefs.  9- 

A  Loofnefs  delcrtb'd.  10. 

The  remote  Caufes  of 
LoofnefTes  like  wife  ne- 
ceflary  to  be  known.i  1. 

By  comparing  thefe  im- 
mediate and  remote 
Caufes  we  may  difco- 
ver  the  Nature  ofLoof- 
neffes.  ibid. 

The  kinds  of  Loofnefles 
and  their  remote  Cau- 
fes beft  collected  by 
Obfervation.  ibid. 

3  A 


The  CONTENTS. 


A  Diarrhoea  how  defcrib'd 
in  ancient  Phyfick,  12. 

How  a  Lientery,  ibid. 

A  Coeliack  Aff'etlion^       1  3. 

And  a  Dy fernery.  ibid. 

Ancient  Phyficians  confti- 
titute  four  forts  of  Dy- 
[enter  ies :  1 4. 


But  erroneoufly ;  and 
wherein  their  Miftake 
confifts.  15* 

Three  forts  of  Loofnefles 
notably  diftind  are  par- 
ticularly to  beexamin'd 
into:  Thefe  are  a  Di- 
arrhoea^ Lientery^  and  a 
Dy  [emery .  i  7 


CHAP;  I. 


Of  a  DIA 

WHat  we  find  by 
Experience  moft 
commonly  to  precede 
a  Diarrhoea.  1  8. 

The    Symptoms  along 
with  it.  1  p. 

What  the  Confequence 
of  a  Diarrhoea  lafting 
on  any  Perfon.  20. 
How  cold  Air  produces  a 
Diarrhoea.  2 1 . 

Many  People afflided  with 
a  Diarrhoea  laft  Winter 
1708,  upon  the  account 
of  this  Caufe.  23. 
A  rainy  and  changeable 
Seafon  the  Caufe  of  a 


IRHOE  A. 

Diarrhoea.  ibid. 

Such  Seafons  are  manifeft 
Caufes  in  the  Weft-In- 
dies •  24. 

And  occafion'd  this  Di- 
feafe  frequently  in  Coos^ 
as  Hipocrates  informs 
us.  25. 

Unwholefome  Food  the 
Caufe  of  a  Diarrhoea.  26. 

How  Meat  hard  to  con- 
cod  is  a  Caufe  j  29. 

Early  and  unripe  Fruits  -7 
ibid. 

This  an  evident  Caufe 
in  France  and  Spam.  30. 

Hovr 


The  CONTENTS, 


kow  too  flxong  a  Dofe 
of  a  Purging  Medicine 
caufes  a  Diarrhoea.  31. 

Why  Hammering  People 
may  be  fubjedt  to  a  Z>/- 
arrhoea,  3  3 . 

The  Reafon  aflign'd  by 
former  Pliyficians  falfe, 
and  gave  occafion  to 
the  Diarrhoea  Cerebralis. 

33- 

Old  People  liable  to  this 
Difeafe,  and  why.  34. 

None  of  thefe  Caufes  pro- 
duce a  Loofnefs  other- 
wife  than  in  the  Con- 
ditions exprefs'd  in  the 
Lemma.  35. 

Why  the  Stools  are  full 
of  Slime  in  time  of  a 
Diarrhoea,  36, 

■  Gall,  37- 

—  altogether  clear  Wa- 
ter, 38. 

—  blackifh  Humour.  39. 
This  laft  Appearance  gave 

Rife  to  a  Multitude  of 
Diarrhoea  of  Humours 
and  from  different  Parts 
of  the  Body.  40. 
Why  great  Quantities  of 
Excrements  arc  voided 
at  times,  42^ 


How  the  Stools  may  be 
Fat  and  Greafy.  43, 

This  Symptom  occafions 
another  Diarrhoea,  ibid. 

Why  the  Stools  are  Fro- 
thy. 45. 

This  Symptom  another 
Argument  for  a  Diar- 
rhoea Cerebralis  lately 
exploded.  46. 

Thole  ill  of  a  Diarrhoea, 
lofe  their  Appetite,  and 
why.  48. 

They  have  a  Fever.  50. 

Why  their  Pulfc  is  de- 
prefs'd.  5 1 . 

Why  the  Urine  in  a  fmall 
Quantity.  52. 

Why  it  is  commonly  of 
a  natural  Colour,  and 
fometimes  higher.  53. 

Why  the  Stools  like  Lees 
of  Wine.  54. 

The  Explanation  informs 
us  of  the  Nature  of  a 
Diarrhoea,  and  that  all 
its  Symptoms  are  en- 
tirely produe'd  by  the 
mentioned  Caufes.  55. 

A  Diarrhoea  has  lafbed  7 
days  to  good  purpofef 

5<$ 
in 


Ue  CONTENTS. 


In  what  Circumftances  a 
Diarrhoea  may  go  off  of 
it  felf.  58. 
Why  a  Lofs  of  Flefh  fol- 
lows a  Diarrhoea 59. 
Why  Faintnefs  \  60. 
The  Pulfe  little  and 
vermicular.  61. 
How  a  Lientery  and  C#- 
Affection  follow  a 
Diarrhoea  \  62. 
And  a    fernery  *,  *>3* 
Why  a  Dropfy  *,  64. 
And  Death.  65. 
The  Confequences  of  a  D/- 
arrhcea  improperly  flop- 
ped are  an  Uneafinefs 
at  Stomach,  67. 
An  Inflammation  in  the 
Bowels,  68. 
A  Fever,  69. 
Head-ach,  Lethargy  and 
other  Difeafes.  ibid. 
A  Diarrhoea  defcrib'd.  71. 
Why  no  Account  is  given 
of  a  Critical  and  Symp- 
tomatica! Diarrhoea,  ib. 
The  Accounts  of  Authors 
involve  them  in  Diffi- 
culties not  to  be  clear'd 
*  but  by  Theory.  72. 
This  plainer^when  &Diar~ 
rhoea  is  combin'd  with 


another  Difeafe,  where- 
in the  Method  is  per- 
plex'd  and  its  Method 
never  determin'd.  75. 

The  Excellence  of  Prog- 
nofticks,  and  why  trea- 
ted in  fo  particular  a- 
manner.  76. 

Four  general  Prognofticks 
taken  from  the  Nature 
of  the  Difeafe.  79. 

The  general  Method  for 
curing  a  Diarrhoea.  80. 

The  Maxims  of  Curing 
taken  from  Authors,  ib. 

Univerfal  Indications.  83. 

An  Explication  of  the  ge- 
neral Maxims,  and  firft 
of  Aph.  14.  Seel:.  2. 

Hip  84. 

Of  the  Experience  of  ma- 
king a  greater  Quanti- 
ty of  Urine.  ibid. 

Of  Vomiting,  86. 

Un&ion,  87. 

Of  Exercife.  ibid. 

Why  Walking  not  fo  ufe- 
ful  as  Riding.  91. 

How  Coition  may  cure  a 
Diarrhoea.  92, 

What  the  Operation  of 
Aftringent  Medicines. 

93. 
Why 


The  CONTENTS, 


Why  they  are  not  fafe  in 
the  Beginning.  94- 

How  Sweating  operates 
when  it  is  a  Cure  ^  ibid. 

How  Bleeding,  95. 

Opium*  9&* 

How  we  may  know  which 
of  thefe  Methods  are 
belt:  98. 

But  this  cannot  be  done 
without  Theory.  99- 

The  Medicines  employ'd 
for  the  foregoing  Pur- 
pofes.  1 01. 

The  Vomits.  102. 

Ipecacuana  has  its  Effect 
only  as  it  is  a  Vomit. 

104. 

It  is  moft  fuccefsful  in 
France.  105. 
The  Purging  Medicines. 

106. 

Reftringent  Medicines. 

109. 

A  Method  that  anfwers 
the  belt  of  any  with 
the  common  Medicines. 

112 


Forms  of  Opiate  and  Di- 
aphoretick  Medicines. 

113. 

This  general  Doctrine  il- 
luftrated  in  fome  pro- 
per Examples.      1 1 5- 

Why  Aitiological  Expli- 
cations neglefted. 

Hiftory  ^v^oi  3.  Diarrhoea 
cur'd  methodically  by 
the  common  Medicines. 

ibid. 

The  fecond  Cafe,  how  dif- 
ficult Diarrhoea  are  to 
be  treated.  118. 

An  Account  of  a  coftive 
Loofhefs.  121. 

The  Method  x>f  Curing  a 
watry  Diarrhoea,  ibid. 

Another  Hiftory  of  a  Di- 
arrhoea hard  to  be  cu- 
red, and  how  manag'd. 

123. 

Several  cur'd  by  the  fore- 
going Method.      1 26. 

Examples  of  a  Diarrhoea 
occalion'd  by  cold  Wea- 
ther, ibid 


C  H  A  P. 


The  CONTENTS. 


Chap.  II. 


Of  a  Lientery  and  Coeliack  AfYcdtion. 


How  thefe  Difeafes  differ 
from  a  Diarrhoea.  129. 

Diodes  firft  obferv'd  this 
difiinguifhing  Symp- 
tom ,  tho'  afterwards 
forgot.  130. 

Appearances  that  com- 
monly precede  a  Lien- 
tery &C.  ibid. 

Symptoms  along  with 
them,  131. 

And  thofe  which  follow 
upon  them.  ibid. 

A  Want  of  Appetite  rec- 
koned among  the  Cau- 
fes.  132. 

Pain  at  Stomach,  133. 

A  Defect  in  Concocting, 
134- 

A  Diarrhoea^  135. 

A  Dyfentery.  136". 

This  gave  occafion  to  the 
Opinion  of  Ulcers  in 
the  Guts.  137. 

The  Food  thrown  off un- 
chang'd  and  without 
Pain,  a  Symptom  of  a 
Lientery:  140. 


Or  it  is  coneofted  and 
thrown  off  in  the  Form 
of  Chyle,  aud  this  is 
properly  a  Coeliack  Afc 
fetlion.  142. 

Scrophulous  Guts,  and 
Guts  filfd  with  Cica- 
trices i  could  not  occa- 
fion a  Coeliack  Loofnefs. 

143. 

People  ill  of  thofe  Difea- 
fes have  a  Kaufeouf- 
nefs,  ibid* 

A  Heat  in  the  Hypocbon- 
dresy  144. 

And  lofe  their  Flefli.  ibid. 

Why  Faintnefs  follows 
thefe  Diftempers,  145. 

Palenefs,  146. 

ATympaniteSj  147. 

And  the  Jaund.ies.  148. 

Old  People  feldom  cur'd 
of  this  Diftemper.  149. 

Young  People  more  eafi- 
lily  "cur'd.  -  15Q 

The  Danger  greateft  when 

'  the  Stools  are  crude, 
like  Ox  Dung,  &c  ibid. 

Why 


The  CONTENTS. 


Why  People  that  have 
Afcarides  become  Drop- 
fical.  158. 

A  Lientery  with  a  Difficul- 
ty of  Breathing  brings 
People  into  aConfump- 
tion.  1 59- 

Death  often  follows  this 
Diftemper.  161. 

What  a  Lientery  &c  are. 

\6i. 

The  Prognofticks.  ibid. 

The  Cure  of  a  Lientery, 
&c.  164. 

How  Diureticks  can  cure 
thefe  Diftempers.  \66. 

What  four  Belching  im- 
ports towards  theCure. 

169. 


Why  Vomiting  is  ill,  es- 
pecially in  Winter.  170 

The  Maxims  for  curing 
very  few,  and  how  we 
may  obfcrvc  and  difco- 
verthe  Methods  of  cu- 
ring. 172- 

The  Medicinesfound  moft 
fuccefsiul  in  the  Cure 
of  a  emery  &c  175 

How  thofe  Diieafes  are 
to  be  nuiv-^d  when 
they  /ollow  fome  other 
Diftemper.  178 

The  Hiftories,  ofMr.Sy- 
mcdck.  1 79 

That  of  Mr.  Rechier,  18c 

The  Cafe  of  Mrs.  Skinner. 

182, 


Chap.  III. 

Of  a  DrSENTE  R  T. 

The  Method  oflnveftiga-  Appearances  that  follow 

tion  different  from  that  its  Continuance,  188 

before.                186  Efpecially  when  it  is  im- 

TheSymptomsalong  with  properly  cur'd-  ibid. 

a  Dy fernery.           1 87  Why  the  Stools  are  full  of 

Caufcsof  a  Dy fernery  com-  Gall,  Phlegm,  &c.  189 
monly  alledg'd.  ibid. 

■    ■     :  Why 


The  CONTENTS. 


Why  they  areBloody.  190 

How  the  Blood  comes  to 
be  mix'd  in  with  the 
Stools.  190 

The  Blood  is  Adufi.  ibid. 

A  Sign  whereby  the  Piles 
may  be  diftinguilh'd 
from  a  Dyfentery.  193 

Why  People  ill  of  a  Dyfen- 
tery  are  troubled  with 
griping.  ibid. 

Skins  among  the  ftools, 
195 

Tus^  or  Corruption,  197 
Pieces  of  Flefh.  199 
Among  the  Caufes  of  a 
Dyfentery  are  reckon'd 
hot  and  fultry  Air,  200 
Spirituous  Liquors.  202 
Why  People  of  a  Bilous 
Conftitution  fubjed  to 
a  Dyfentery.  203 
Why  Men  paft  their  Youth 
moft  apt  to  have  a  Dy- 
fentery^ 207 
And  Women  fometime  by 
fuppr effing  their  month- 
ly Courfes,  209. 
As  Men  upon  flopping  the 
Tiles,  2 1  o 

How  Black  Gall  is  the 
Caufe  of  a  Dyfentery. 

2ir 


The  Lofs  of  a  Limb  and 
a  Tlethora  fuppos'd  by 
Hippocrates  a  Caufe  of  a 
Dyfentery.  2*2 

There  follow  a  Dyfentery 
a  Lofs  of  Flefli.     21 6 

A  Dyfentery  is  feldom  cu- 
red when  there  are  Ca- 
runcles, ibid. 

A  Lofs  of  Appetite  very 
dangerous.  2 1 7 

WhytheGuts  areinflam'd 
218 

Why  they  are  thin ,  219 
Scirrhous  j  220 
Ulcerated.  22  [ 

Why  aGangreen,  222 
And  Death.  ibid. 
The  Confequences  of  an 

ill  Cure,  a  Mania^  224 
An  Apoplexy,  225 
A  Pleurify,  225 
A  Vomiting  and  Spitting 

ofBlood,  227 
And  a  Dropfy.  22% 
A  Dyfentery  \%  thought  ufe- 

ful  in  the  Scurvy.  2290 
A  DefcriptionofaXty/e?z- 

tery.  230 
The  Prognofticks.  231 
The  Cure  of  a  Dyfentery. 

232a 

Indications 


\ 


The  CONTENTS. 


indications  for  curing  a 
Byfentery.  ibid. 
Vomiting,  233 
Purging,  234 
Bleeding,  ibid. 
Infipid  Clyfters.  23d 
AftringentMedicines,  237 
Diureticks,  238 
Coition  and  Bathing.  239 
The  Medicines  for  curing 
a  Byfentery.  241 
Hiftoryfirlt,  OfMr.^wr- 


net^  255 
Second,  Of  Captain  Br  ax- 

ton,  255. 
Third,  Of  Mrs.  Cryer,  258 
A  Fourth,  Of  a  Servant  of 

her  prefent  Majefty's, 
260 

And  a  Fifth,  Of  a  Man 
who  had  voided  part  of 
the  inner  Coat  of  the 
Rettum.  26-1: 


Adver- 


Advertifement. 


ATreatife  of  Sea  Difeafes  ;  of  their  Na- 
ture, Caufes  and  Cure.  Alfo  an  Effay 
on  Bleeding  in  Fevers.  By  W.  Cockburn 
M.  D.  Late  Phyfician  of  His  Majefty's  Fleet, 
Fellow  of  R.  S.  and  of  the  College  of  Phy- 
ficians.  Sold  by  G.  Strahan  at  the  Golden 
Ball  againft  the  Royal  Exchange. 


1  N 

GENERAL. 


SECT.  I 

Aving  confidered  the  O- 
riginai  of  the   Art  of 
Phyfick,  and  the  feve- 
ral  Steps  by  which  it 
was  advanced  ;  and  ha- 
ving fhewn  that,  for  a  long  time, 
Observation  was  the  only  thing  that 
dire&ed  Phyficians  in  their  Practice ; 
it  is  from  thence  manifeft,  that  at 
B  firft 


A   Loos  NESS 


ply  ;  how  it  comes  that,  in  Loof- 
netfes,  the  Flefh  is  wafted,  and  the 
Strength  is  impared,  even  to  the  bring- 
ing fuch  as  are  afflicted  with  them 
to  the  laft  Stage  of  their  Life ;  bow 
one  and  the  fame  Medicine,  at  cer- 
tain Periods  of  the  Difeafe,  becomes 
profitable,  which,  given  at  another 
time,  would  have  been  hurtful  to 
the  Patient.  Thefe  things  fhall  be 
the  Subiect  of  our  prefent  inquiry  : 
In  which  we  will  firft  confider  the 
Se&t  and  Caufes  of  all  LoofiieiTes  in 
general,  Secondly,  we  will  accom- 
modate the  general  Doctrine  to  par- 
ticular Obfervations,  and  explain  thefe 
Obfervations  from  this  Do&rine.  So 
that,  by  this  method,  we  may  be 
able  to  account  for  the  Nature  of 
every  Looftiefs,  and  know  what  good 
or  ill  Confequences  will  attend  the 
particular  Applications  in  each- cafe, 
before  we  venture  to  put  them  in 
Practice. 

§  IV.  By  the  moft  general  Know- 
ledge of  the  Parts  of  our  Body  it  is 
manifeft,  that  the  Seat  of  a  Loofhefs 
is  in  the  Guts  j  and  that  wc  may  be 

more 


in  General.  5 

more  capable  to  difcover  the  Indif- 
pofitions  to  which  they  are  fubjefr,  it 
will  be  neceflary  to  confider  the  Sub- 
ftance  of  what  we  know  of  them  by 
fome  more  particular  Obfervations 
drawn  from  Anatomy, 

§  V.  This  informs  us  that  the  A.Defjrfr 
Guts  are  one  continued  Du£t,  or  cZs.  ' 6 
Canal,  from  the  Pilorus  to  the  Anas, 
not  proceeding  direftly  but  in  win- 
ding Lines ;  by  which  their  Progrefs 
a  great  Length  of  Inteftins  is  accom- 
modated in  a  very  little  Space,  and 
excellently  anfwers  the  Purpofes  of 
Nature  in  conveying  the  greateft 
Quantity  of  Chyle  into  the  Lafteal 
VelTels.  The  Guts  have  many  Glands, 
and  Blood  is  brought  into  them  by 
the  upper    and    lower  Mefenteri- 
cal  Artery,  which  Blood  is  again  re- 
turned  by   the   Mefaraick  Veins, 
Branches  of  the   Porta,   firfl:  into 
the  Liver,  and  from  thence  itno  the 
Heart  by  the  Cava.  The  Guts  are 
made  up  of  three  Coats ;  One  they 
have  from  the  Peritoneum ;  the  Se- 
cond is  Mufcular,  and   is  chiefly 
to  be  confiderM  at  this  time,  be- 
B  i  caufe 


A  Loosness 


caufe  it  more  efpecially  conduces  to 
protrude  every  thing  that  is  con- 
tained in  their  Cavity.  The  third 
Coat,  which  conftitutes  the  inner 
Surface  of  the  Guts,  confifts  of  fhort 
Fibres  interwoven  with  fine  Blood 
Veffels.  This  Coat  is  commonly  found 
befmear'd  with  an  Oozy  Mucus,  which 
very  likely  is  the  Remainder  of  the 
Chyle,  tho'  fome  think  it  difcharg'd 
into  the  Guts  from  their  Glands; 
but  all  agree  that  it  ferves  to  defend 
the  Fibres  of  the  Guts  from  being 
too  much  ftimulated. 

§  VI.  This  is  a  juft  Account  of 
the  moft  obvious  Seat  of  our  Di- 
ftemper;  befides  which,  no  Place  has 
been  much  regarded  at  this  time  : 
But  if  we  confider,  that  the  Stomach, 
which  is  plac'd  at  one  End  of  the 
Guts,  is  a  Machine  of  that  Power 
that  eafily  overcomes  the  Refiftance 
of  th'  Inteftins,  and  forces  the  dige- 
fted  Food  into  their  Cavity:  It  may 
be  very  proper  to  give  fome  fhort 
Account  of  the  Stomach,  as  we  have 
already  given  of  the  Guts.  Before 
we  do  this  ;  let  us  obferve,  very 

much 


in  General.  7 

much  to  the  prefent  Purpofe,  that 
there  are  two  Liquors  continually 
poured  into  the  Duodenum  from  the 
Liver,  and  Pancreas :  the  one  by  the 
Ductus  communis j  and  the  other  by 
that  difcovered  by  Virtfungm. 

§.  VII.  The  Stomach,  whofe  Shape  oftkstt- 
is  too  well  known  to  want  to  be  mcl- 
particularly  defcribed  in  this  fhort 
Account,  is  united  with  the  Duode- 
num at  the  Pdorus,  or  its  right  Ori- 
fice. It  has  four  Coats.  One  from 
the  Peritoneum,  under  which  lie  its 
Veins  in  many  Branchings  from  the 
Porta.  The  Second  Coat  is  Mufcu- 
lar,  made  up  of  ftrait  and  circular 
Fibres  properly  difpofed  for  its  Con- 
traction. Its  third  Coat  is  much  fi- 
ner, being  altogether  Nervous,  and 
becaufe  of  its  exquifite  Senfe  is  calPd 
Nervofa.  The  fourth  and  inmoft  Coat 
confifts  of  fhort  Fibres  ftanding  per- 
pendicularly upon  the  Fibres  of  the 
Nervous  Coat.  This  inner  Coat  is 
very  large  and  full  of  Wrinkles,  and 
has  alfo  many  Glands:  It  is  call'd 
the  Velvet  Coat,  by  Doftor  Willis,  from 
this  Difpofition  of  its   Fibres;  by 

which 


A  Loosness 

which  it  refembles  the  Pile  of  Vel- 
vet. The  Stomach  receives  our  Food 
into  it  by  the  Oefophagus,  after  it  has  ! 
been  well  chewed  and  fappM  with 
Spittle,  and  reduces  it  into  a  liquid 
Subftance  by  bruifing  and  grinding 
it,  as  (a)  ErAfiJlrAtm  has  long  fince  in- 
formed us,  that  it  may  be  made  fit 
for  Nourifhment  by  pafTmg  into  the 
Blood  for  a  Supply  of  thofe  Liquors 
that  are  always  wafting  by  our  na- 
tural Evacuations.  Thefe  things  be- 
ing premifed, 

LEMMA 

It  is  evident ,  thAt  the  immediate  CAufes 
of  allLoofneffes^  mufl  either  be  a  quicker 
ConveyAnce  of  the  common  QuAntity  of 
concotted  Food,  And  of  fuch  Liquors  as 
Are  ufuAlly  mix*d  with  it  in  the  Guts : 
Or j  a  greAter  thAn  ordinAry  Secretion 
of  a  WAtry  Subfl Ance  from  the  Blood  by 
the  Pancreas,  Glands,  &c.  into  the 
fAtne  Guts.  In  both  which  Cafes  there 
mufl  needs  be  a  larger  DifchArge  of 
liquid  Excrements  by  Stool  than  ujuaU 

For 


a  Gal.  Ifagog. 159.  Corn.  Celf./>r*/.  pag,  6. 


in  General. 

For  in  the  ordinary  State  of  Health, 
the  thinner  Part  of  the  Aliment,  af- 
ter being  concocted  by  the  Stomach, 
paffes  into  the  La&eals,  and  there  re- 
mains only  the  groffer  and  thicker 
Parts,  which  are  to  be  Voided  by 
Stool :  and  therefore,  while  things  re- 
main in  this  State,  there  cannot  be  a 
Loofnefs.  But  if  the  Periftaltick  Mo- 
tion of  the  Guts  fhould  happen  to  be 
encreafed  from  any  Caufe  whatever 
that  affefts  the  Mufcular  Coat,  or 
Stimulates  thofe  that  are  Membran- 
ous; the  Aliment  muft  needs  be  pro- 
truded with  a  greater  Force  and  Ve- 
locity thorow  the  Guts :  And,  confe- 
quently,  lefs  of  it  can  be  fqueezed  in- 
to the  Lafteal  Veffels;  and  in  this 
Cafe  the  thin  Matter,  which,  in  the 
ordinary  State,  palfes  by  the  Lafteals 
into  the  Blood,  now  mixing  with  the 
Matter  that  is  to  be  voided  by  Stool, 
increafes  its  Quantity  and  renders  it 
Liquid.  Moreover,  if  we  fhould  fup- 
pofe  the  thin  Parts  of  the  Aliment  to 
pafs  as  ufually  into  the  La&eals,  but 
there  fhould  happen,  at  the  fame  time, 
a  much  greater  Derivation  than  or- 
dinary of  a  fluid  Subftance  from  the 

Blood 


IO  ^   LOOS  N  E  S  S 

Blood  into  the  Guts ;  this  Matter  will 
change  very  much  the  natural  Confi- 
ftence  of  the  Stools,  and  increafe  their 
Quantity :  both  which  being  in  the 
time  that  the  Periftaltick  Motion  of 
the  Guts  is  increafed  the  Stools  will 
pafs  quickly  thorow  them.  But  if  the 
Liquor  is  alfo  ftimulating,  this  Effect 
will  ftill  be  greater  and  more  fenfi- 
ble. 

jLoofnefs  In  general,  then,  a  Loofnefs  may 
defalked.  be  fajj  t0        a  more  frequent  Difchar- 

ging,  by  Stool,  a  liquid  Subjlance  proceed- 
ing  from  an  extraordinary  Contraction  of 
the  Guts,  an  increafe  of  liquid  Excre- 
ments, their  greater  Liquidity,  or  mojly 
if  not  all  of  them  concurring  together. 

§  VIII.  Thus  it  is  evident  that 
thefe  are  all  the  poffible  Caufes  of 
Loofneffes;  or  that  a  Loofnefs  can- 
not be  without  one  or  more  of  thefe 
Caufes :  Yet  they  are  very  different 
from  remote  Caufes,  that  are  faid  to 
conititute  the  Nature  of  a  particu- 
lar Loofnefs.  Wherefore,,  that  our 
Knowledge  may  be  more  particular, 
the  remote  Caufes  which  produce  the 
abovementiom'd  Affe&ions  of  the  Guts, 

are 


in  General. 


are  to  be  difcovered,  whereby  we 
may  demonftrate  that  thefe  Faults  are 
the  very  Elfence  of  a  Loofnefs :  Info- 
much  that  a  Loofnefs,  in  general,  is 
no  more  than  fuch  Affe&ions  of  the 
Guts.  By  this  way  of  comparing  the 
neceffary  immediate  Caufes  with  thofe 
that  are  brought  as  remote  Caufes, 
we  may  be  able  to  find  how  proper- 
ly fome  Appearances  alledged  as  Cau- 
fes, are  fuch :  and  thus  truly  correct  by 
our  Reafon  thofe  Errors  the  Want 
of  due  Refleftion  on  Obfervations  has 
let  flip  in  upon  us ;  many  things  be- 
ing commonly  alledg'd  as  Caufes  that 
are  not  really  fuch. 

§  IX.  Our  next  Step  fhall,  there- 
fore, be  to  relate  the  different  Sorts 
of  Loofneffes  that  are  recorded  from 
Obfervation  to  be  diftinguiflhable  from 
each  other.  And  we  lhall  relate  all 
the  Symptoms  that,  at  any  time,  at- 
tend any  fort  of  Loofnefs,  and  are 
fuppofed  Parts  of  the  Difeafe.  We 
fhall  likewife  confider  what  the  Fate 
of  thofe  People  have  been  upon  whom 
LoofnelTes  have  continued  any  time; 
and  rehearfe  the  moft  obvious  Changes 

that 


12  A   L  O  O  S  N  E  S  S 


that  have  happened  in  the  Non-Na- 
turals before  a  Loofnefs  has  appeared, 
and  compare  the  Neceflity  of  the 
Caufes  and  Effefts  among  themfelves 
by  Reafon;  which  is  the  moft  like- 
ly way  to  obtain  a  more  minute  Ac- 
count of  the  Nature  of  Loofneffes,  as 
we  propofe. 

AivPro  ^  ^'  ^e  mo^  common  anc*  lea^ 
fiuvium.0"  complicated  of  all  Loofneffes  is  a  Di- 
arrhea and  is  thus  defcribed  by  An- 
cient Phyficians.  By  Jreuus  it  is  an 
Efflux  of  liquid  and  unconcocted  Food. 
Galen  calls  it  (a)  a  plentiful  and  conti- 
nued flux  of  the  Belly,  without  any  In- 
flammation or  Exulceration  of  the  Guts. 
And  commonly  among  Phyficians  it 
is  a  Running  of  the  Belly  without  an 
Ulcer  of  the  Guts  '7  hut  in  it  are  voided 
Phlegm,  or  Bile,  and  thefe  either  pure,  or 
mixt  together. 

AwTiel*.   §  XI  But  if  the  Meat  is  quickly  turn'd 
Laevkas    out  of  the  Body  with  loofe  Stools, 
nim.ftm°  and  very  little  changed  from  what  it 
was  when  we  firft  eat  it ;  this  kind  of 

Loofnefs 


Lib.  2.  cap.  7.  defin.  med. 


in  General.  ig 

Loofnefs  iscalPda  Lienteria&s*  Galen 
informs  us  in  his  Commentary  upon 
the  Aphorifms  of  Hippocrates.  In  this 
Lienteria,  or  Slipperinefs  of  the  Guts, 
the  Food  is  thrown  out  Liquid  but  not 
Corrupted,  without  pain,  and  the  Body  is 
Wafled  \2is(a)  Hyppocrates  Obferves. 

§  XII.  On  the  other  hand,  when  the  Ko/*/ay.3„ 
Meat  is  kept  for  fome  time,  and  thereaf-  ^///^ 
ter  is  carry1  d  off  Liquid  and  indigejled,  PaJJio. 
this  Loofnefs  is  a  Cceliaca  Paffio.  In 
this  cafe,  the  Food  is  a  little  Concofted 
and  remains  longer  in  the  Stomach; 
yet  it  is  Crude,  fometimes  ftinking, 
but  runs  off  without  griping,  and  is 
often  attended  with  Fainting. 

§  XIII.  Moreover,  when  we  go  to  &vwtz- 
Stool  with  Blood7  with  pain,  Griping,  or  ^m\nA 
there  is  an  Vlcer  in  the  Guts,  the  Difeafe 
is  calPd  a  Dyfentery.  (£)  Hippocrates 
fays,  that  when  any  One  is  ill  of  a 
Dyfentery  there  is  Griping  and  Pains 
over  all  the  Belly  \  and  that  the  Perfon, 
thus  ill  Voids  Gall,  Phlegm,  and  adujl 
Blood,  (c)  Galen  defines  this  Difeafe 
,  .  an 


*  Com.  6.  Sea.  i. a  De  AfFe£h  b  De  Affett.  «  De- 
*fin.  med. 


^  LOOS  N  ESS 


an  Exulceration  of  the  Guts  with  inflam- 
matiofty  bloody  Stools  like  Lees  of  Wine  ; 
and  with  thefe  Griping^  and  Pain  in  the 
Belly  and  Guts.  Authors  fpeak  of  four 
different  forts  of  this  Difeafe. 

The  firft  is  this  of  Galen  ;  the  next 
is  that  call'd  Hepatica  by  Trallianus; 
Of  the  other  two  Sorts  One  is  faid  to 
proceed  from  too  much  Blood,  and 
the  other  by  Blood  flowing  into  the 
Guts,  their  Veifels  being  corroded. 
The  two  laft  will  in  due  time  be 
found  the  trueft.  At  prefent  I  fhall 
only  remark  how  Natural  it  is  for  the 
moft  obferving  Phyficians  to  fuggeft 
Caufes  of  Difeafes  while  they  defcribe 
them,  and  it  fhall  be  fhown  hereaf- 
ter how  fome  of  thefe  different  Sorts 
of  Loofneffes  arife  from  ill  aflign'd 
Caufes ;  which  are  neither  fupported 
by  Reafon  nor  Obfervation,  but  occa- 
fion  a  deal  of  Confufion  while  we  ei- 
ther inquire  into  the  Nature  of  a  Loof- 
nefs,  or  when  we  endeavour  to  Cure 
it.  Hippocrates  was  very  free  from  the 
fault  we  complain  of,  his  Defcriptions 
and  Hiftories  being  commonly  very 
fimple,  and  not  perplext. 


§XIV; 


in  General. 


§  XIV.  Tho'this  will  often  be  made 
appear  in  the  following  reafoning; 
yet  it  is  not  amifs  to  confider  a  little 
how  this  Divifion  of  Dyfenteries  de- 
pends upon  their  Philofophy.  (a)  Hip- 
pocrates had  fpoke  of  thin  bloody  Stools 
like  rinfing  of  Flefh,  and  Alex.  Trallia- 
ntKy  fays,  that  thefe  kind  of  Stools  pro- 
ceed from  weaknefs  of  the  altering- 
faculty  of  the  Liver,  and  is  the  Liver 
'Dyfemery.  This  is  faid  upon  a  Suppo- 
fition  that  the  Liver  attracts  the  Chyle 
from  the  Guts  and  changes  it  into 
Blood ;  fo  that  fome  of  this  ill  altered 
Blood  being  thrown  back  into  the 
Guts  occafions  a  Voiding  of  pale  Blood 
in  the  .prefent  Cafe.  But  this  Caufe 
of  a  Dyfentery  founded  on  two  palpa- 
ble Miltakes  of  the  Chyle  being  at- 
tracted into  the  Liver,  and  there 
changM  into  Blood,  makes  this  Liver 
dyfentery  depend  upon  a  very  preca- 
rious foot,  and  little  to  be  regarded 
in  our  following  enquiry. 

§  XV.  Galen,  likewife,  not  imagin- 
ing how  there  can  be  Pain  in  the 

Bowels, 


*  Coac.  prsen.  Lib.  7.  cap.  12. 


A  Loosness 

Bowels,  and  Blood  Voided  from  them 
without  an  Ulcer,  conftitutes  their  Ex- 
ulceration  as  a  neceffary  condition  of 
a  Dyfentery :  how  truely,  thefe  Ob- 
fervations  made  on  thofe  we  open  af- 
ter Dead  of  Colicks  and  Dyfenteries 
atteft;  it  being  rare  enough  to  find 
fuch  exulcerations  in  either  of  thefe 
Difeafes,  tho'  Galen  fuppofes  them  in- 
feparable.  Hippocrates  was  not  of  their 
Opinion;  and  according  to  (a)  Galen's 
teftimony,  does  not  take  a  Dyfentery 
for  an  Ulcer  in  the  Guts,  but  for  an 
Evacuation  of  Bloody  Stools  from 
them.  In  effe£b,  all  bloody  Stools 
paft  with  him  for  a  Dyfentery;  and 
I  fliall  take  the  Liberty  to  ufe  the 
word  Dyfentery,  in  the  following  Dif- 
courfe,  in  this  Senfe  of  Hippocrates. 

§  XVI.  Upon  a  like  miftaken  fup- 
pofition  it  is,  that  Authors  found  the 
Nature  of  a  Lienteria  and  pa/fio  Qce- 
liacay  and  make  them  to  differ  ef- 
fentially  from  one  another  ;  where- 
as fome  Symptoms  of  a  Diarrhoea  fhould 
more  juftly  require  different  confidera- 

tionsi 


a  Comm.  4.  in  lib.  flip,  de  articulis. 


in  General. 


tions,  and  thus  may  conftitute  diffe- 
rent Difeafes.  Wherefore  to  avoid 
all  Ambiguity  in  this  Difcourfe,  'tis 
plain  that  there  are  only  three  con- 
liderable  conditions  or  Loofneffes, 
which  require  a  more  particular  re- 
gard to  be  had  to  them  in  the  Pra- 
ctice, as  will  more  evidently  be  made 
appear  in  e&imining  their  Symptoms. 
Thefe  are  a  Diarrhoea.  \  a  Lienteria,  or, 
pafflo  CtilUca ;  and  thirdly,  a  Dyfen- 
terti. 

§.  XVII.  This  feems  to  be  the  ge- 
neral ftate  of  Loofneffes:  The  Sto- 
mach and  Guts,  their  Seat ;  and  the 
mentioned  forts,  their  Number.  But 
we  fhall^be  further  convinc'd  of  this 
Truth,  by  a  more  particular  enqui- 
ry into  their  Nature;  which  I  (hall 
endeavour  to  Difcover  by  accommo- 
dating this  general  Doftrine  to  the 
Obfervations  of  Authors,  concerning 
the  particular  Appearances  that  have 
been  at  the  time  of  any  Loofnefs, 
as  well  as  of  things  that  precede  a 
Loofnefs,  and  were  thought,  proba- 
bly, to  be  the  Occafion  of  it,  or  its 
produ&ive  Caufe.  By  this  compari- 
C  fon 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

fon  it  will  appear,  what  are  the  ge- 
nuine Caufes  of  Loofneffes ;  and  how 
thofe  that  were  put  into  the  Num- 
ber, in  a  general  Obfervation,  come 
to  be  reje&ed. 

§.  XVIII.  Come  we  therefore  to  re- 
late the  Appearances  that  are  pre- 
vious to  Loofneffes,  as  alfo  thofe 
that  attend  them,  &c.  Firft  then^ 
we  begin  with  thofe  of  a  Diarrhea* 


Chap.  I. 
Of  a  2)  I A  RR  H  OEA 


Sect.  L 

"TH I S  a  common  Obfervation  that 
1  before  a  Diarrhceay  there  is  Cold 
weather ,  a  Rainy  and  a  changeable  Seafon* 
(a)  -  Hippocrates  fays,  That  the  Difeafes 
mojl  common  in  rainy  Weather  are  Fe- 
versy  LoofeneJJes,  &c„  Afterwards,  Be* 

fides 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.         I  p 

fides  the  mentioned  Difeafes  there  are, 
m  Summer,  Tertian  And  Quartan  Agues, 
Vomitings  and  Loofnejfes.  It  is  aljb  ob- 
fervJd  that  Vnwholefome  food  likewife  oe- 
caftons  a  Loofnefs,  and  Meat  not  eafily  di- 
gejied  ;  as  alfo  early  and  unripe  Fruit,  and 
a  too  jlrong  Dofe  of  a  purging  Medicine, 
(a)  Hippocrates  obferves,XW  they  who 
Stutter  are  'very  Subject  to  tedious  Loof- 
nejfes \  As  alfo  are  Old  People. 

§.  II.  In  time  of  a  Diarrhea,  the 
thin  Excrements  are  filFd  with  Slime, 
Gall,  and  blackiffj  Humours.  Some- 
times^ all  that  is  voided  confifts  of 
clear  water  without  Excrements  ;  at  o- 
ther  times  there  is  a  large  quantity  of 
Excrements,  and  thofe  Greajy,  Fat,  and 
Froathy.  (b)  Hippocrates  alledges,  that 
the  Caufes  of  Froathy  Stools  proceed  from 
the  Head.  There  is  alfo,  with  a  Di-  cvrvKimfu 
arrhcea,  very  commonly  a  lofs  of  Appe- 
tite, a  Fever,  and  they  who  are  111  of  a  Di- 
arrhoea, have  a  weak  Pulfe,  and  it  is 
fometimes  Deprefl-.  Their  Vrine  is 
in  a  little  quantity  \  it  is  often  of  a 
Natural  Colour,  and  fometimes  lixiviaL 
C  2  The 


M  Aphor.  32.  Sea,  6.   (b)  A  ph.  $0.  Seft.  7, 


20        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


The  JlooLs  alfo  are  at  times  like  Lees  of 
Wine. 

III.  This  Diftemper  lafts  till  the 

Seventh  day,  and  without  a  Fever,  of- 
ten to  good  purpofe:  But  when  either  im- 
moderate Quantities',  or  other  til  Circum- 
fiances  of  Age,  and  Symptoms  follow  it? 
no  time  ought  to  be  NegleBei-  for  its 
Cure.  There  attend  it  a  lofs  of  Flcjh, 
Faint  nefs,  a  little  Pulfe,  and  that  fom  - 
times  vermicular  :  likewife  a  Lienieria, 
and  a  Cceliaca  paffio.  (a)  Hippocrates 
obferves,  That  after  a  Diarrhoea  comes  a 
Dyfentery :  and  that  a  Dyfentery  fol- 
lowing a  Diarrhoea  is  an  ill  fign.  Dro[ 
fees  alfo  follow  this  Difeafe,  when  it  has 
lajled  for  any  long  time:  and  it  is  re- 
lated by  (b)  Hippocrates  that,  Serapis 
fwe/Pd  or  became  Dropfical  after  a  moijl 
and  liquid  Belly,  or  after  a  Loofnefs. 
Nay,  Avicenna  afferts,  there  is  not  any 
kind  of  Sicknefs  fafe,  which  began 
with  a  Loofnefs.  A  Diarrhoea  often 
ends  in  Death. 

§.  IV.  Notwithftanding  all  this 
danger  and  uneafinefs  that  are  the 

Con- 


(a )  Aph.  7$.  Se&.  7.  &  aph.  iy{b) Lib.  2.  epid.  Seft.  2. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.         2 1 

Confcquence  of  a  Loofnefs,  yet  the 
Stopping  it  too  fuddenly  has  had  as 
inconvenient  and  difmal  an  end. 
In  that  Cafe,  the  Stomach  ts  uneajy^ 
Fevers  4re  occafiorfdj  and  the  Bowels  are 
inflamed.  Headachs  alfo,  Lethargiesyand 
ether  affe&ions  of  the  Brain  are  pro- 
duct ;  with  feveral  other  Difeafes  ac- 
cording to  the  various  Conftitutions 
and  Difpofitions  of  the  Perfons  thus 
Jlopp'd  up.  But  moft  commonly,  the 
Belly  five/Is,  and  when  there  is  likewife 
a  Suppreffion  of  Vrine  and  a  Feverifbnefs, 
the  Difeafe  very  often  returns. 

§.  V.  Cold  Air  is  not  an  uncom-  Coidwea- 
mon  Caufe  of  a  Diarrhcta  \  for  by  it  is  ^!rc^ 
occafion'd  a  too  great  Secretion  of  wu-  of  a  DUr- 
try  Humour  from  the  Blood.  Becaufe  rt**- 
the  Coldnefs  of  Air  contra&s  the  Pores 
of  the  Skin,  and  -by  their  Contraction 
they  are  rendered  more  impervious  to 
the  Matter  of  Tranfpiration.  Now 
this  Matter  of  Tranfpiration  being  of 
the  moft  ferous   part  of  the  Blood, 
and  far  exceeding  all  other  Secreti- 
ons in  quantity  and  likewife  being 
not  duly  difcharg'd  upon  account  of 
the  fmalnefs  of  the  Pores,  muft  needs 
be  voided  by  other  Organs  of  Eva- 
C  5  cuation; 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

cuation  ;  which  in  this  Cafe  will  dif- 
charge  a  quantity  greater  than  Na- 
tural, and  of  that  Nature,  and  in  fuch 
a  proportion,  as  is  the  Liquor  which 
is  Superadded.  It  being  likewife  ma- 
nifeft,  as  is  juft  mentioned,  that  the 
Serous  part  of  the  Blood  is  the  grea- 
teft  in  the  Compofition  of  Blood : 
and  therefore  this  Serous  or  watry 
Liquor  is  that  which  efpecially  con- 
tributes to  the  Augmented  Evacuati- 
on. Moreover,  it  is  alfo  known,  that 
when  the  Secretion  at  the  Glands  of 
the  Skin  proves  any  ways  defe&ive^ 
throw  the  faults  of  the  Glands  or 
Pores,  and  while  the  fluidity  of  Blood 
remains  the  fame,  the  redundant 
liquor  is;  moft  "readily  feperated  at 
the  Glands  of  the  Guts.  And  there- 
fore it  is  now  manifeft  that  in  an 
interruption  of  Tranfpiration  by 
Cold  air,  the  greateft  part  of  this 
remaining  unperfpir'd  Liquor  will 
be  turned  upon  the  Inteitins,  and 
this  too  great  quantity  of  a  wa- 
try Liquor  earned  into  the  Guts 
will  occafion  more  frequent  dis- 
charges of  Liquid  ftuff  out  of  them, 
or  a  Loofnefs  by  the  Lemma  ;  and  a  Di- 

arrharA 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  23 

arrbaa,  (a)  as  appears  by  its  Defcrip- 
tion.  This  inconveniency  of  Cold  air 
was  a  very  manifeft  Caufe  of  Loof- 
neffes  in  the  Winter  of  1708,  when 
Loofheffes  were  much  more  frequent 
than  in  any  Seafonfor  many  years. 

§.  VL  As  rainy  Weather  both  thick-  A  ^iny  & 
ens  the  Blood  and  leflens  its  Velocity,  changea- 
fo  does  it  likewife  leffen  Tranfpira-  bleSear™' 
tion ;  for  that  is  always  as  the  Velo- 
city and  Fluidity  of  the  Blood.  Now 
the  Tranfpiration  being  little  upon  the 
account  of  this  thicknefs,  (even  tho* 
the  Pores  are  very  open,)  this  remain- 
ing Quantity  of  tranfpirable  Matter 
will  be  feparated  at  Parts  where  the 
Blood  is  more  fluid  ;  and  the  Blood 
continuing  to  be  more  fluid  in  Parts 
lefs  remov'd  from  the  Heart  than  in 
thofe  at  a  greater  Diftance  from  it, 
this  abounding  Quantity  of  untr&n- 
fpir'd  Matter  will  be  difcharg'd  at  thofe 
Parts.  Among  fuch  Parts  are  the 
Guts,  (b)  as  has  been  already  ob- 
feiVd ;  and  therefore  at  the  Glands 
of  the  Guts  there  will  be  a  greater 
C  4  Se- 


<*)  §•  X.  pag.12.  (b)  §.  IV.pag.  5. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Secretion  of  watry  Parts:  which  Plen- 
ty of  a  watry  Subftance  muft  make 
ev^ry  thing  in  the  Inteftins  more  li- 
quid, and  produce  a  Loofnefs.  More- 
over, in  changeable  Weather,  when 
it  is  fometimes  rainy  and  foggy  and 
fometimes  clear,  the  Velocity  of  the 
Blood  becomes  greater  in  the  Inter- 
vals of  Clearnefs  :  and  confequently, 
in  time  of  a  more  defective  Tran- 
fpiration,  there  is  a  greater  Secre- 
tion of  this  redundant  Matter  \  the 
Matter  to  be  feparated  more  fre^ 
quently  returning. to  the  Glands  of 
the  Inteftins.  Wherefore  it  i§  mani- 
feft,  that  in  rainy  and  changeable 
Weather  Men  are  very  fubjed  to 
LoofnelTes.  This  Obfervation  is  very 
common  in  hot  Countries,  where  they 
have  Seafons  of  Rain.  In  the  Weft 
Indies  it  is  fo  conftantly  thus,  that 
they  commonly  fay  it  rains  Loofneifes, 
in  time  of  their  rainy  Seafon.  (a)  And 
Hippocrates  has  told  us  long  ago, 
that  the  Difeafes  moft  frequent  in 
rainy  Weather  are  Loofneffes,  Sic. 

§.  VII.  What  Hippocrates^  adds  after- 
wards is  a  more  particular  Obferva- 

tion> 


(a)  Aph.  1 6.  Sea.  3. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

tion,  peculiar  to  his,  and  other  fmall 
Iilands.  In  Summer,  fays  (a)  he  there  are 
fome  of  the  mentioned  Dijlemfers  (of  the 
.Spring)  and  continual  and  burning  Fe- 
vers and  Tertian  and  Quaran  Agues, 
Vomitings  and  Loofnejfes.  For,  in  fmall 
Iflands,  they  are  fo  liable  to  foggy, 
rainy,  and  changeable  Weather,  that 
the  Blood  is  affe&ed  in  the  Manner 
mentioned  in  the  former  Article,  and 
a  Loofnefs  produced  that  very  Way, 
This  is  ftill  more  evident  from  the 
cafe  of  Summer  Agues,  (like wife  com- 
mon with  them  at  the  Seafon  they 
are  thus  fubjeft  to  Loofnelfes  :)  Seeing 
an  Ague  is  a  Difeafe  from  a  Thick- 
nefs  of  Blood,  which  is  diifolvM  and 
is  renew 'd  in  certain  times.  If  there- 
fore, a  Thicknefs  any  thing  lefs  than 
this  of  Agues  is  acquir'd  in  the  fame 
Seafon,  there  will  be  fuch  an  Inter- 
ruption in  Tranfpiration  as  may  oc- 
casion a  greater  Secretion  of  Lympha 
in  the  Glands  of  the  Inteftins  ;  which 
rendring  the  Contents  of  them  more 
liquid,  will  occafion  more  frequent 
going  to  ftool  wirh  liquid  Excre- 
ments 


{jtj  A  ph.  2  j.  Seft.  3. 


26        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


ments,  or  a  Loofnefs.  This  feems  plain-  j 
ly  to  be  the  true  Reafon  of  this  | 
Obfervation  ;  becaufe  on  Continents, ! 
and  where  there  are  great  Trafts  of 
Land  on  every  Side,  Summer  Agues 
and  LoofnelTes  are  very  Rare ;  as  they  \ 
are  every  where  in  a  dry  and  warm  j 
Seafon.    On  the  other  hand,  in  Coun- 
tries that  are  foggy  and  damp,  as  is 
already  obferv'd,  and  in  Camps,  they 
are  more  frequent. 

unwhoi-       VIII.  Our  Food  and  Aliment  may 
amcFood.  be  properly  faid  to  be  unwholfome, 
when  it  either  is  not  rightly  cur'd, 
or  that  it  does  not  afford  fufficient  i 
Nourifhment.    In  both  thefe  Cafes, 
unwholfome   Food  will    occafion  a  ] 
Loofnefs.  The  firft  Cafe  in  one  Senfe  ( 
falls  in  with  the  other  ;  and  by  being  J  j 
ill  Cur'd,  is  deprived  of  its  nourifh- j  j 
ing  quality  and  will  produce  a  Loot  \ 
nefs  as  defective  Nourifhment  will  be  a 
found  to  do.    But  ill  cur'd  Food  con-  \ 
trafts   Qualities  that  are  purging, 
vomiting,  &c.  which  deprives  us  of ! 
Strength  ;  as  alfo  Qualities  that  thicks  j 
en  our  Blood,  and  ftimulate  the  Guts, 
If  the  firft;  it  lelTens  Tranfpiration 

and 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

and  other  Secretions  that  are  eafier 
impeded :  and  a  Quantity  of  thefe 
Liquors,  not  feparated  in  their  pro- 
per Places,  being  added  to  the 
Secretion  at  the  Glands  of  the  Guts, 
makes  every  thing  in  them  more 
liquid,  more  eafily  protruded  and  ex- 
pelPd,  and  occafion  a  Loofnefs  of  Se- 
rum, Gall,  and  other  Humours,  or  a 
Diarrhea.  We  are  to  have  the  fame 
Opinion  about  the  Effe&s  of  any  kind 
of  Aliment,  that  naturally  make  fuch 
Changes  in  our  Blood ;  or  that  fup- 
ply  a  greater  Quantity  of  watry,  bi- 
lous,  &c.  parts  to  its  Mafs.  What 
Foods  they  are  that  afford  fuch  Nou- 
rijhment  is  not  yet  fufficiently  known  : 
howfoever  they  well  deferve  our  Con- 
fideration.  (a)  Hippocrates  fays  he  was 
the  firft  that  difcover'd  any  thing  on 
that  Subjeft,  and  it  muft  be  own'd 
that  his  Performance  is  as  ufeful,  as 
any  other  fmce  that  time,  (b)  Sm- 
cloriut  has  obfervM  that  eating  Hogs 
Flefh,  and  Mufhrooms,  are  hurtful : 
both  becaufe  they  are  not  eafily  per- 
fpirM ;  and  that  they  hinder  the  Tran- 

fpiration 


[i)  ttczjl  biam^y.  WSeft.  3.  aph.  23.  24.  25. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

fpiration  of  other  Food  taken  at  the 
fame  time.  Moreover,  thefe  Foods 
not  only  impede  Perfpiration,  but  in 
fuch  a  degree  as  makes  the  Body 
perfpire  a  third  lefs.  Melons,  alfo, 
diminifh  a  fourth  of  our  ordinary 
Tranfpiration.  Now  if  fo  confidera* 
ble  Changes,  as  thefe,  are  made  on 
our  Bodies  by  different  Foods,  we 
ought  to  be  very  cautious  what  we 
take  on  that  account :  and  not  only 
pur  Vegetable  Diet,  but  our  Fifh  ana 
Flefh  ought  to  be  farther  examin'd, 
before  they  are  made  ufe  of  for  Sufte- 
nance ;  efpecially  for  fick  People,  fince 
their  Ilnefs  may  be  promoted  by  what 
we  intend  Should  nourifh  them,  and 
their  Evacuations  may  be  greater  by 
Food  than  by  Pharmacy. 

§.  IX.  On  the  other  hand,  Foods 
of  defeftive  Nourifhrnent  leffen  Tran- 
fpiration very  fenfibly :  And  therefore 
encourage  an  extraordinary  Difcharge 
of  watry  Parts  on  the  Guts ;  by  which 
a  Loofnefs  and  DurrhceJi  are  produced, 
as  has  been  faid. 

§  X. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea  29 

<).  X.  Food  hard  to  digeft  gives  but  Meats  not 
little  Nourifliment,  and  is  the  Caufe  ^fted.dl 
of  a  Loofhefs,  as  has  been  faid.  Be- 
fides,  Meats  of  difficult  Digeftion  are 
apt  to  corrupt,  and  by  their  corrupti- 
on acquire  iharp  and  ftimulating 
Parts,  whereby  the  Periftaltick  Mo- 
tion of  the  Guts  is  augmented,  and 
by  their  more  violent  and  frequent 
Contraftion  the  thin  Matter,  which 
in  the  ordinary  State  palfes  by  the 
La&eals  into  the  Blood,  now  mixing 
with  the  Matter  that  is  to  be  voided 
by  Stool,  encreafes  its  Quantity  and 
renders  it  liquid :  Which  more  fre- 
quent going  to  Stool  with  a  liquid 
Subitance  is  a  Loofnefs ;  and  that  with 
watry  Stuff  or  other  Humours,  a  Di- 
arrhoea. So  that  Meats  hardly  digefted 
are  the  Caufe  of  a  Diarrhcea. 

XI.  After  this  manner  early  and  Early  aHC* 
unripe  Fruit  prpduces  a  Diarrhcea :  $^£c 
For,  by  the  Quantity  of  their  Juice 
the  Serous  Part  of  the  Blood  is  in- 
creased, and  by  its  other  Qualities  the 
Blood  acquires  a  Lentor :  Wherefore 
the  Quantity  of  watry  Parts  in  the 
Blood  being  encreasM  with  a  Lentor, 

there 


30        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

there  muft  be  a  greater  Quantity  of 
fuch  Parts  difcharg'd  into  the  Guts, 
by  their  Glands  ;  which  Quantity  muft 
render  every  thing  contained  in  them 
more  liquid :  and  therefore  in  an  or- 
dinary State  of  Periftaltick  Con  t ra- 
tion, the  Stools  will  be  voided  thin 
and  more  frequently ;  or  there  will 
be  a  Diarrhea.  Moreover,  moft  ear- 
ly Fruits  contain  fharp  and  ftimulat- 
ing  Parts ;  or,  by  their  corruption,  ac- 
quire them.  Wherefore  unripe  and 
early  Fruit  is  a  moft  powerful  Caufe  of 
a  Diarrbcea  ;  fince  it  furniihes  the  Mat- 
ter, leffens  Tranfpiration,  and  excites 
che  Periftaltick  Motion  of  the  Guts. 
This  Caufe  is  notorious  and  undif- 
putable  in  Countries  that  have  the 
moft  and  beft  Fruits ;  tho'  their  Cli- 
mate does  otherwife  the  leaft  dif- 
pofe  the  Inhabitants  to  fuch  a  Di- 
feafe.  France  and  Spain  ^  but  efpe- 
cially  the  firft,  give  daily  Inftances 
in  their  Grape  Seafon,  in  their  Vin- 
tages, and  in  them  that  drink  new  < 
Wine :  Befides  the  immoderate  ufe 
of  their  beft  Fruits,  as  Water  Melons,  i 
Figgs,  &c.  So  that  now  it  is  mani- 
feft  that  Fruits,  especially  thofe  that 

are  i 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.         3 1 

are  early  and  unripe,  are  a  powerful 
Caufe  of  a  Diarrh&a. 

§.  XII.  A  Loofnefs,  for  a  time,  is  the  The  too 
proper  Effe£t  of  purging  Medicines  :  p^of 
tko'  I  have  fhewn  how  eafily  we  may  a  purging 
overdofe  them  ;  And  in  that  Cafe,  the  Medicine. 
Loofnefs  will  be  carry'd  on  beyond  our 
Defire.  Moreover,  a  Dofe  of  purging 
Medicines,  tho'  very  moderate  may 
fometimes  in  the  fame  Perfon, 
meet  with  that  Difpofition,  (a)  men- 
tioned in  my  Solution  of  the  Pro- 
blem about  thofe  Medicines,  that  aug- 
menting their  Operation  on  this  ac- 
count may  have  double,  triple,  and 
more,  of  its  ordinary  Effects.  Befides, 
it  has  been  prov'd  that  the  Opera- 
tion of  purging  Medicines  is  to  make 
greater  Secretions  of  watry  Parts  in- 
to the  Inteftins,  and  to  ftimulate 
the  Guts:  and  therefore  when  this 
their  Effeft  is  carried  on  for  fome 
time,  their  Power  not  fpent,  and 
the  Blood  much  alter'd  into  that 
Difpofition  by  them,  the  Confequence 
mult  be  frequent  and  loofe  Stools 

fiird 


00  Philof.  Traaf.  N*.  303. 


32         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

filPd  with  thefe  and  other  Humours; 
or  a  DUrrhaa.  It  is  for  this,  and  fucfr 
like  reafons,that  Super-purgations  hap- 
pen :  for  when  the  Force  of  the  Me- 
dicine feems  to  be  fpent,  and  the  B- 
vacuation  has  ceas'd  for  fome  time, 
yet  upon  the  leaft  Accident  of  catch- 
ing cold,  the  weak  Force  of  the  Purge 
is  aflifted  by  the  Quantity  of  tranfpi- 
rable  Matter,  kept  in  and  hinder'd 
to  pafs  becaufe  of  the  Pores  being, 
in  fome  meafure,  contracted  by  the 
cold  Air ;  as  has  already  been  mewn. 

Stammer-       XIII.  Now,  t  ho' Stammering  can- 
plf  Sub-  not  be  any  Caufe  of  a  Loofnefs,  it  is 
jeft  to    neceffary  to  confider  what  the  Difpofi- 
Loofnefles  t[on  0f  Stammering  People  may  be  to 
have  Loofnefles ;  fince  Hippocrates  ob- 
ferves  they  are  very  liable  to  them* 
and  thofe  very  tedious  and  long.  If 
therefore  we  confider  that  People  who 
Stutter,  are  alfo  great  Spitters,  and 
have  feveral  other  Marks  of  a  thick 
Blood,  and  confequently  whofe  Per- 
fpiration  is  not  great ;  We  may  for 
this  reafon  judge  them  naturally  di£ 
pos'd  to  fall  111  of  a  Loofnefs. 

By 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

By  the  way  ;  this  has  been 
one  occafion  for  conftituting  a  Diar- 
rhea Cerebralis ;  and  Proffer  Martianm 
fays,  in  his  Commentary  on  this  A- 
phorifm,  that  as  a  Diarrhea  proceeds 
from  many  Caufes,  yet  that  which 
is  occafion'd  by  a  Diftilling  from  the 
Head  is  not  eafily  ftopp'd  3  beeaufe 
the  Matter  which  is  continually  fal- 
ling from  the  Head  keeps  it  always 
afloat.  Wherefore,  fince  all  Difeafes 
that  have  their  Original  from  a  moift 
Brain  are  convey'd  by  way  of  De- 
fluxion^  it  is  no  wonder  that  Stam- 
mering People  who  have  moift  Brains 
are  troubled  with  Fluxes.  Now  tho' 
this  Notion  of  a  moift  Brain  may  be 
fo  underftood  as  to  have  a  tolerable 
good  meaning,  and  its  Signs  obvious 
enough,  yet  Anatomy  plainly  contra- 
di£ts  any  fuch  Conveyance  or  De- 
fluxion  of  Rheum  for  making  this  or 
any  other  Diftemper.  So  that  we 
find  here  one  fort  of  a  Loofnefs  not 
duely  conftituted  \  but  eftablifh'd  ra- 
ther in  oppofition  to  Anatomy,  and 
many  more  good  Reafons  that  might 
be  produc'd. 


D 


34        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

And  ou  XIV.  Likewife,  Old  People  are 
,f0pe#  very  fubjeQ:  to  a  DUrrhaa.  For,  in 
Ola  Age,  tho'  the  Pores  every  where 
may  be  open  and  free  for  perform- 
ing Secretions  as  before;  yet  their 
Digeftion  failing,  and  their  Veffels 
growing  harder,  render  them  much 
more  obnoxious  to  have  a  Loofnefs. 
By  the  firft  of  thefe  their  Meat  is 
not  duely  digefted;  but  corrupting, 
ftimulates  the  Guts  and  increafes  their 
Periftaltick  Motion,  and  drives  their 
Contents  quickly  along  with  what 
is  digefted,  and  then  will  follow  a 
DUrrhxa.  Moreover  this  cruder  Chyle 
is  not  fufficiently  diluted  with  Lym- 
fha  in  the  La&eals,  neither  is  their 
Perfpiration  in  its  natural  Quantity, 
and  that  not  only  becaufe  of  this 
cruder  Chyle,  but  alfo  becaufe  of  the 
Hardnefs  of  their  Veflels.  Where- 
fore, their  Blood  being  groffer,  and 
not  fo  quick  in  its  Motion,  the  Tran- 
fpiration  is  lefs,  whereby  a  greater 
Quantity  of  perfpirable  Matter  is  dif- 
charg'd  into  the  Inteftins  by  their 
Glands:  and  the  Guts,  at  the  fame 
time,  being  liable  to  be  ftimulated, 
there  will  be  a  greater  Quantity  of 

fluid 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

fluid  Matter  in  the  Guts,  and  they 
more  violently  contra&ed ;  and  there- 
fore a  more  frequent  going  to  Stool 
of  fuch  watry  Excrements,  or  a  Di- 
arrhoea. 

§.  XV.  Thus  'it  is  manifeft  that 
there  is  not  any  of  the  Caufes  of  a 
Diarrhoea,  eftablifh'd  on  a  long  and 
conftant  Obfervation,  that  produces 
its  Effect  any  otherwife  than  by 
making  a  quicker  Conveyance  of  the 
common  Quantity  of  digefted  Food, 
and  of  fuch  Liquors  as  are  common- 
ly mixt  with  it  in  the  Guts :  or  elfe 
that  they  make  a  greater  than  or- 
dinary Secretion  of  a  watry  Subftance 
from  the  Blood  by  the  Pancre&u 
Glands  of  the  Ititeftines,  &c.  into  the 
fame  Guts.  So  that  what  was  de- 
monftrated  in  the  Lemma  perfectly 
well  accounts  for  the  Obfervation  of 
Phyficians  in  all  Ages ;  tho'  by  that, 
and  the  Account  of  thefe  Obferva- 
tions,  we  are  more  diftinftiy  informed 
about  the  Caufes  of  a  Dwrhoea,  and 
hereafter  we  fhall  find  it  more  eafy 
to  form  a  more  direQ:  Method  of 
Cure.  At  prefent,  we  may  be  far 
D  2  ther 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


ther  confirm'd  in  this  Truth,  by  in- 
quiring whether  every  thing  that  ap- 
pears in  time  of  a  Diarrhcea  does  en- 
tirely agree  with  this  way  of  its  Pro- 
duction: and  if  it  is  fo,  then  this 
Account  is  the  right  Method  of  Na- 
ture. 

in  2  mar-     §•  XVI.  Now  whether  the  Diar- 
rhea the  rba?a  proceeds  from  a  greater  Periftal- 
fu7ofare  tick  Motion  of  the  Guts,  or  by  what 
flime.      is  contained  in  them  being  more  li- 
quid,  yet  every  thing  in  the  Inte- 
ftines  being  thrown  out  more  fre- 
quently, mull  likewife  carry  Slime 
,    along  with  them ;  becaufe  there  are 
many  things  that  breed  that  Sub- 
ftance,    For  inftance;  it  has  already 
been  ftiewn  how  unwholefome  and 
undigefted  Food  is  the  Occafion  of 
this  Diftemper :  and  if  fome  of  this 
undigefted  Food  is  either  Flefti  or 
Bread,  it  is  eafie  to  apprehend  how 
the  undigefted  Fibres  of  Flefh,  and 
even  undigefted  Bread  are  meerly 
Slime.   Moreover;  it  has  been  al- 
ready oblerv'd  (a)  that  there  is  a 

Mucus 


(a)  Paragraph.  5.  pag.  d, 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  37 

Mucus  and  flimy  Subftance  that  covers 
the  inner  Surfaces  of  the  Guts,  and  pre- 
ferves  them  from  a  greater  Irritation  of 
fharp  Parts  that  may  pafs  along  them. 
Now  as  that  is  eafily  enough  parted 
from  the  Guts,  and  is  very  often 
aftually  feparated,  when  their  Con- 
traction is  more  violent,  or  their 
Contents  are  driven  more  haftily  a- 
k>ng  them.  Wherefore  on  either  or 
all  of  thefe  Confiderations  the  Excre- 
ments are  fi/P.d  with  Slime  during  a 
Diarrhoea.  . 

§.  XVII.  It  has  been  likewife  ob-  Gail, 
ferv'd  that  (V)  the  Gall  is  continually 
poured  into  the  Duodenum  by  the  Du- 
ctus communis.  Now  the  Gall  is  a 
Liquor  that  ftimulates  the  Inteftines, 
and  thus  it  might  have  been  rec- 
kon'd  among  the  Caufes  of  Loofhef- 
fes.  Befides,  it  is  a  Liquor  that  ea- 
fily infinuates  and  mixes  with  other 
Subftances  contained  in  the  Guts,  and 
dyes  them  of  its  own  Colour.  And 
therefore  when  either  the  liquid  Sub- 
ftance of  Aliments,  or  other  Secre- 
D  j  tions 


(a)  Paragr.  6.  pag.  7. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

tions,  made  into  the  Guts  in  a  great 
Quantity,  are  thus  colour'd  with  Gall , 
they  are  thrown  out  yellow :  and 
this  Supply  being  very  eafie  by  aug- 
menting a  little  a  natural  Secretion, 
it  is  not  hard  to  conceive  how  the 
Stools^  in  a  Diarrhoea,  are  tinged,  with 
Gall. 

§.  XVIII,  We  know,  now,  it  is 
fufficient  for  making  a  Diarrhoea  to 
have  the  Stools  more  liquid ;  as  alfo, 
that  the  Matter  of  Tranfpiration  may 
be  difcharg'd  in  the  Guts  by  their 
Glands:  and  therefore,  if  a  greai 
Part  of  that  Subftance  is  a&ually 
difcharg'd  there,  it  will  occafion  a 
Diarrhoea  of  watry  Stools,  But  as  the 
Urine  is  likewife  in  a  fmall  Quanti- 
ty in  every  Diarrhoea^  if  therefore  the 
{Quantity  of  urinous  Serum  is  added, 
the  Discharge  will  ftill  be  greater. 
Suppofe,  likewife,  fuch  a  Colliquation 
in  the  Blood  as  we  find  in  a  Diabe- 
tes, and  other  Cafes,  the  Quantity 
of  Water  difcha'rg'd  into  the  Inte- 
ftines  and  voided  by  them  may  be 
vaftly  great :  and  therefore  it  is  eafie 
to  imagine  how,  in  a  Diarrhoea,  a 

Quantity 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


39 


by  Stool.  Moreover,  if  we  call  to 
mind  another  natural  Fountain  that 
is  continually  pouring  into  the  Duo- 
denum from  the  Pancreas  by  the  Du- 
ctus Virt fungi ;  And  if  the  Secretion  in 
the  Pancreas  is,  in  any  meafure,  aug- 
mented, as  we  find  it  is  at  lefs  con- 
fiderabie  Glands ;  we  have  here  a 
frefh  Store  of  a  watry  Secretion  car- 
ry'd  into  the  Guts,  and  that  may  be 
voided  by  them :  and  therefore  it  is 
ftill  more  eafie  to  apprehend  how  we 
may  go  to  Stool  very  often  with  a 
Quantity  of  Clear  Water, 

§.  XIX.    Tis  known  that  Cole-  Or  a  Ma* 
worts,  Steel  and  Vitriolick  Medi- ^f11' 
cines  render  Excrements  black.  But 
as  for  the  Humours  of  the  Body,  there 
is  not  any  of  them  that,  of  them- 
felves  or  when  mixt,  make  thofe  black 
Humours  but  corrupted  Blood,  or 
grofs  Gall  which  is  tawny  :  and  there- 
fore when  thofe  black  Humours  are 
found  among  the  Stools,  it  is  cer-. 
tain  that  the  Gall  is  become  very 
thick  and  grofs  ;  or  that  there  is  a 
fmall  Difcharge  of  Blood,  which  cor- 


D  4 


rupts 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

rupts  in  the  Guts  before  it  is  dif- 
eharg'd.  How  thefe  fhould  be  pro- 
duced is  very  manifeft  from  what  has 
been  fa  id  about  the  Caufes  of  a  Di- 
arrhoea. Gall  it  felf,  in  this  preter- 
natural State  can  give  this  Appear- 
ance. Befides,  a  greater  Quantity  of 
Gall  will  ftimulate  the  Inteftines  to 
a  greater  Degree,  and  corrode  or  break 
thro'  fome  of  their  capillary  Veffels; 
fo  that  a  fmall  Quantity  of  Blood  is 
difchargM,  and  corrupting  gives  this 
Blacknefs  to  the  Humours  and  Ex- 
crements. The  fame  may  be  faid  of 
the  other  Caufes  that  produce  their 
Efte£t  by  ftimulating ;  whether  that 
be  indigefted  Food,  early  Fruits,  or 
others  of  that  kind. 

XX.  Phyficians  having  reckoned 
the  various  Symptoms  of  a  Diarrhoea 
diftinft  Difeafes,  according  to  the  va- 
rious Views  and  Confiderations  they 
had  of  it :  one  chief  Diftinftion  was 
in  regard  to  the  Matter  that  was 
voided  ;  and  thefe  Appearances  joined 
with  a  Diarrhoea  were  calPd  fo  many 
various  Diarrhoeas  under  the  Name  of 
Bilou5)  Phlegmatick,  Serous,  and  a  Me- 
lancholic!? 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Uncholick  Durrkva.  So  that  however 
they  might  rightly  exprefs  the  Di- 
verfity  of  thefe  Symptoms,  yet  they 
could  never  direct  us  by  fuch  a  Di- 
vifion,  either  into  the  Nature  of  thefe 
Appearances  or  their  Caufe :  and 
therefore  fell  very  fhort  in  fuggefting 
proper  means  for  managing  the  Cure, 
which  is  the  great  End  of  all  Defcrip- 
tion  or  Theory.  'Tis  true  thefe  Phy- 
ficians,  upon  another  Divifion,  told 
us  that  a  Diarrhea  might  proceed 
from  the  whole  Body,  and  from  fome 
particular  Part  ;  as  the  Brain,  Sto- 
mach, Intejlms,  Liver,  Spleen,  Mefente- 
ry,  the  Womb,  and  other  Parts.  This 
is  indeed  multiplying  Difeafes  with- 
out any  Neceffity,  and  moll  of  their 
Diftinftions  are  wrong  ;  and  the  reft 
fo  lamely  told,  that  it  is  not  an  eafie 
Matter  to  find  out  the  Diarrhea  of 
the  Parts;  and  if  any  may  be  found, 
the  Way  of  their  Produ&ion  remains 
unaccounted  for:  and  therefore  this 
dividing  them  has  given  thefe  Au- 
thors no  manner  of  Afliftance  in  their 
Pra&ice,  'Tis  enough  to  have  ob- 
ferv'd  this ;  fince  by  our  Method  the 
Multiplicity  of  Difeafes  is  avoided, 


4.2         Of  a  Diarrhoea, 

and  the  Appearances  occafioning  their 
Miftake  are  duely  explained. 

Somtimcs  XXI.  The  next  Symptom  is  that 
quantify  f°metimes?  thefe  Stools  are  not  fo 
of  Excre-  much  filPd  with  Humours,  as  that 
ments  is  t}iey  are  mere  Excrement,  and  is 
Vo1  e  '  properly  enough  call'd  a  Stercorom 
Diarrhcea.  This,  'tis  true,  cannot  be 
any  otherwife  occafion'd  than  by  a 
Store  of  fuch  Excrements  before  the 
fick  Perfon  fell  into  a  Diarrhoea,  and 
that  thefe  Stools  are  now  rendred 
more  liquid  by  fome  of  the  men- 
tioned Caufes.  Moreover,  among  the 
Caufes  of  LoofnelTes,  indigefted  Food 
is  obferv'd  as  one.  Now  this  indi- 
gefted Food,  being  corrupted  in  the 
Stomach,  and  not  entring  the  Lafte- 
als  muft  be  voided  in  the  Form  of 
Excrement ;  efpecially  if  we  confider 
that  by  this  Corruption  it  acquires 
Simulating  Parts,  which  accelerate 
the  Periftaltick  Motion  of  the  Guts. 
Wherefore,  on  all  thefe  Confidera- 
tions,  it  is  evident  how  the  Stools  in 
a  Diarrhaa  may  be  altogether  Sterco- 
rous. 


§.  XXII, 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  43 


§.  XXII.  If  either  the  Difeafe  is  ™ey  are 
producM  by  a  quantity  of  Excrements  Greafy. 
jfhut  up  for  iome  time,  or  from  a 
Quantity  of  indigefted  Food.  In  both 
thefe  Cafes,  fat  Parts  being  in  this 
Store  of  Excrements  or  Indigeftion,  are 
now  voided  along  with  thefe  Sto61s, 
Wherefore  in  the  frequent  and  loofe 
Stools  of  a  Diarrhea  fome  of  them  are 
fat  and  greafte. 

This  Symptom  occafion'd  ano- 
ther new  Difeafe  ;  which  Phyfici- 
ans  call  a  Colliquative  Diarrhoea :  As  %vviK71Kn 
if  the  Subftance  of  the  Body  were 
melted  down  in  it ;  and  Heat  is  af- 
fign'd  as  its  Caufe  ;  becaufe,  that 
is  the  proper  means  for  melting 
Greafe  or  Metals.  This,  they  fay,  is 
oftneft  obferv'd  in  Inflamations  of 
the  Bowels,  in  an  intenfely  hot  Fe- 
ver, a  Heftick,  and  Peftilential  Fever. 
There  is  no  manner  of  doubt  but  that 
the  greateft  quantity  of  our  Fluids 
may  run  out  at  any  of  the  Parts  ferving 
to  Secretion,  and  Men  are  often  re- 
duced to  a  very  thin  Condition  in  this 
Difeafe,  for  Reafons  that  are  hereaf- 
ter to  be  given.  But  then  this  vio- 


Of  a  Diarrhoea,' 

lent  Heat  is  not  the  Caufe ;  neither 
is  there  any  befides  thofe  already  af- 
fign'd ;  nay  farther,  Heat  cannot  be 
the  Caufe  of  this  Wafting  in  a  Diar- 
rhea. There  is,  indeed,  a  Fever  fome- 
times  attends  a  Diarrhcea ;  but  this  is 
a  concomitant  Symptom  with  the  reft, 
and  fhall  be  prefently  accounted  for 
as  fuch.  So  that  it  is  plain  from 
whence  Fatnefs  may  be  in  the  Stools 
in  cafe  of  a  Diarrhoea,  and  that  Col- 
liquation  or  Wafting  is  but  the  Con- 
fequence  of  a  violent  Diarrhcea,  or  of 
fuch  an  one  as  has  continued  long  on 
any  Perfon,  and  not  at  all  a  diftintl 
fort.  This  branching  out  of  Symp- 
toms into  Difeafes  occafions  a  deal  of 
Difficulty  and  Confufion  in  the  Pra- 
ctice ;  and  ftill  more  when  the  Num- 
bers are  increas'd  by  combining  them 
under  a  Notion  of  a  Complication  of 
Diarrhce<zy  or  a  new  Divifion  of  com- 
plicated Dtarrhce*.  Tho'  it  muft  be 
own'd,  that  this  proceeded  chiefly 
from  the  Obfervation  Phyficians  made 
of  a  Diarrhcea ;  they  being  ty'd  up, 
without  any  manner  of  Theory  to 
direfl;  them,  to  a  mere  Relation  of 
what  they  faw,  took  thofe  Symptoms 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  45 

for  fo  many  diftinft  Difeafes,  to  no 
manner  of  Purpofe  or  Benefit  of  the 
Cure,  and  could  only  breed  this  Con- 
fufion  we  have  obferv'd  all  along: 
Obfervations  thus  made  always  be- 
wilder us,  when  we  cannot  part  Cau- 
fes  from  Effe&s,  Realities  from  Ac- 
cidents. It  is  indifputable  that  Ob- 
fervation  is  the  great  Foundation  and 
Ground- work,  and  we  muft  firft  know 
what  we  would  afterwards  examine: 
but  the  parcelling  thefe  Obfervations, 
and  the  forting  them  is  the  Bufinefs 
of  our  Reafon  and  Comparifon  ;  which 
in  another  Expreffion,  is  the  Bufinefs 
of  Theory;  whatever  ill  Meaning 
fome  illiterate  People  fix  upon  it. 

§.  XXIII.    But,  to  returxl  to  our  Theftoofe 
Subjeft,  as  this  indigefted  Food  and  ^e  fro~ 
efpecially  Fruits  mix'd  in  with  other  c  y" 
Humours  in  liquid  Excrements  con- 
fift  of  fermenting  Parts,  which  are 
aftually  in  Fermentation,  there  muft 
be  Bubbles,  Foam  or  Froth,  the  com- 
mon EffeQ:  of  fermenting  Liquids: 
Wherefore  in  a  Diarrhea  there  may 
be  Frothy  Stools,  as  is  obferv'd.  More- 
over* by  this  indigefted  Food  cor- 
rupting 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


rupting  in  the  Stomach  and  Inteftines, 
there  is  let  out  of  its  Pores  and  Li- 
quids, a  Quantity  of  Air  ;  which,  paf- 
{ing  to  and  fro  by  the  compreflive 
Force  of  the  Periftaltick  Motion,  rufh- 
es  through  thefe  liquid  Excrements 


Froth  :  and  therefore  it  is  that  in  a 
Diarrhcea  there  are  Frothy  Stools,  as 
is  faid. 

From  thefe  Frothy  Stools  we 
have,  again,  another  Diarrhoea  ;  but 
this  is  fuppos'd  to  proceed  from  too 
many  Spirits  :  and  as  all  Air  and 
Spirits  are  generated  in  the  Brain, 
fo  this  Diarrhcea  has  its  Rife  and  O- 
rigine  there,  and  is  a  new  Caufe  and 
equally  true  with  the  firft  for  the 
Diarrhea  Cerebralis.  That  Air  is  bred 
in  the  Brain  will  not  be  fo  eafily 
conceived;  but  that  Animal  Spirits 
are  there  feparated  from  the  Bloodj 
is  not  to  be  difputed :  Yet  they  have 
their  proper  VefFels  in  which  they  pafs 
to  feveral  Parts  of  the  Bedy,  but  nc| 
means  whereby  they  can  be  difcharg'di 
into  the  Guts.  Nay,  if  they  might, 
it  would  ftill  be  a  doubt  if  this 
cou'd  be  their  Effeft.    And  therefore' 


and 


them  into  Bubbles,  or 


thi 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

this  new  Reafon  for  another  fort  of 
Diarrhoea  is  abfolutely  falfe  and  feems 
to  be  grounded  on  a  miftaken  No- 
tion in  Philofophy  and  Anatomy,  in 
very  early  Times,  (a)  Hippocrates  fays, 
that  they  who  have  Frothy  Stools  in  time 
of  a  Loojnefs7  have  them  as  flowing  from 
the  Head.  This  feems  to  be  the  firft 
Foundation  for  a  Diarrhoea  Cerebralis^ 
fo  much  talk'd  of  in  after  Ages :  Tho' 
fome  of  the  Greateft  Hippocratical  Phy- 
ficians  foften  the  Matter  and  leave  us 
to  believe  that  Air  and  Spirits  are 
only  convey'd,  while  others  atfert 
that  Phlegm  it  felf  is  deriv'd  thence 
into  the  Inteftines.  Of  this  laft  Opi- 
nion are  Profper  Martianm  and  Vander 
Linden  :  tho  Monfieur  Patin,  Schefflery 
and  other  Editors  of  the  Aphorifms,  fa- 
vour die  firft  in  their  Works.  (£)  There 
are  Great  Phyficians  who,  having 
confider'd  how  many  more  obvious 
Caufes  there  may  be  for  thefe  Fro- 
thy Stools,  thought  other  Signs  ought 
to  be  join'd  to  this  Sympcom  that 
might  give  it  credit  for  its  corning 
from  the  Brain ;  as  that  it  labour'd 

then 


(a)  Apl).  $0.  Sift  7.  (b) River.  Ub.x.  Cap.  v. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea, 


then  under  fome  manifeft  Indifpofi- 
tion,  &c .  But  if  we  recolleft  what 
is  already  mentioned ;  certainly  no 
probable  Signs,  tho'  never  fo  many, 
can  induce  this  Belief  againft  fo  plain 
and  obvious  Proofs  ;  efpecially  that  the 
zealous  ProfelTors  of  this  Doftrine 
think  it  ftill  wants  to  be  better  atteft- 
ed  and  prov'd* 

A  lofs  of  XXIV.  Since  a  Diarrhcea  is  cau- 
Appetite.  fed  either  by  Indigeftion,  or  a  great- 
er Secretion  in  the  Glands  of  the 
Stomach  and  Inteftins,  there  will  be 
a  Lofs  of  Appetite ;  becaufe  a  Defire  of 
Eating  proceeds  from  the  inmoft  Coat 
of  the  Stomach  being  ftimulated  by  its 
digefting  Liquor,  or  the  mutual  Con- 
tact of  its  own  Sides.  Now  in  time 
of  Indigeftion  this  Liquor  is  fo  in- 
volved in  this  indigefted  Mafs,  that  it 
cannot  duely  affeft  the  Stomachs  Be- 
fides  it  is  fo  much  alter'd  by  a  new 
Addition  of  a  greater  Quantity  of  a 
fecreted  Liquor,  perhaps  of  another 
kind,  that  it  lofes  its  Power  of  fti- 
mulating ;  and  in  both  thefe  Cafes 
there  is  no  Defire  to  Eat.  But  if 
the  mutual  Fri&ion  of  the  Coats  con- 
tributes 


• 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  4.9 

tributes  to  this  Appetite,  'tis  evident 
that  a  Quantity  of  indigefted  Stuff 
remaining  in  the  Stomach  muft  al- 
together prevent  the  mutual  Contact 
we  fuppofe  neceffary  for  exciting  that 
Affection.  Moreover,  in  the  prefent 
Cafe  the  Motion  of  the  Stomach  be- 
ing lefs  than  ordinary,  this  mutual 
Contact  will  not  be  fo  powerful ;  but 
efpecially  in  time  of  Indigeftion :  and 
therefore  there  is  a  Lofs  of  Appetite, 
during  a  Diarrb&a; 

§.  XXV.  A  Fever  is  nothing  elfe  a  F.rer- 
than  a  greater  Velocity  of  the  Blood 
with  Heat;  and  this  is  produced  by 
a  greater  Quantity  of  hot  Parts  in  the 
Blood,  whereby  the  Heart  is  more 
frequently  contracted,  and  the  Ner- 
vous Parts  more  affe&ed  with  Heat. 
Now  it  has  been  fhewn  (a)  that  this 
greater  Quantity  of  Blood  and  of  the 
hot  Parts  in  it,  or  a  Fever,  was  oc- 
cafion'd  by  an  Interruption  in  Tran- 
fpiration ;  and  it  is  now,  likewife, 
manifeft  that  an  impeded  Perfpiration 
k  one  great   Caufe  of  a  Diarrhea  ; 

E  and 


(a)  Sea  Dueafes  p.  72. 


ftCC-    (jjfy  Diarrhoea. 

^'F7   and,  'therefore  the  Caufes  of  both  ha* 
ving  fome^hat  in  common,  there  may 
t  be'  ^J&ver  along  with  a  Diarrhoea* 

^Preft  XXVL  lt  has  hcm  ProvM  (?> 

is  epre  t.  when  all  the  Blood  impelled  in- 
to an  Artery  by  the  Contra&ion  of  the 
Heart  is  not  deriv'd  into  the  Vein, 
in  its  Syftole,  (when  the  Artery  is 
contracted)  but  fome  part  of  this 
Blood  remaining  makes  the  fubfe- 
quent  Dilatation  of  the  Artery  pafs 
over  a  lefs  Space,  in  the  fame  time, 
it  beats  on  our  Finger  with  lefs 
Force ;  which  fmaller  Impreflion  of 
the  Artery  againft  our  Finger  is  a 
Deprefs'd  Pulft.  But  this  Depreffion 
is  only  occafion'd  by  a  greater  Quan- 
tity of  grolfer  Blood  in  the  Arteries, 
as  is  (b)  there  fhewn.  Now  a  great- 
er Quantity  of  Blood  is  chiefly  pro- 
duced by  the  Perforation  being  in- 
terrupted :  but  it  is  likewife  inter- 
rupted in  time  of  a  Diarrhcea.  There- 
fore, in  a  Dtarrhcea^  there  may  be  a  De- 
pre/s^d  Pulfe.  But  if  this  Tranfpira- 
tion  is  alfo  interrupted  upon  the  Ac- 
count 


(*j  Sea  Difeales p.  55-  5&  ib» 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  £i 

count  of  the  Blood's  Thicknefs,  more 
than  by  any  other  Cauie  :  in  that  cafe, 
the  Pulfe  will  be  DeprefsM  to  a  grea- 
ter Degree. 

§.  XXVII.  On  the  other  hand  ;  the  And  often 
Pulfe  is  often  little  and  Weak  in  time  ^"]£and 
of  a  Diarrhoea.    For  by  the  Greatnefs    ea  * 
of  Evacuation  the  Quantity  of  Blood 
is  lefs,  and  this  Quantity  is  driven  a- 
long  the  Veffels  with  lefs  Force.  Now 
upon  both  thefe  accounts,  the  Pulfe 
will  be  Weak.  Becaufe,  firft,  fuppo- 
fing  the  Syftole  of  the  Heart  natural, 
both  as  to  Force  and  the  time  of  its 
Contra&ion,  and  the  quantity  of  Blood 
in  the  Body  lefs,  a  lefs  Quantity  will 
be  thrown  into  any  Artery  at  every 
Contraftion  of  the  Heart :  but  by  this 
lefs  Quantity  the  Sides  of  the  Arte- 
ry will  be  lefs  diftended,  and  confe- 
quently  the  Pulfe,  which  is  as  this 
Diftention,  will  be  Lefs  and  Weaker 
than  natural;  and  all  this  happens 
becaufe  of  a  greater  Evacuation  in  a 
Diarrhoea.    Wherefore^  in  time  of  a 
Diarrhoea^  the  Pulfe   will  be  Weak, 
Moreover,  by  this  greater  Difcharge 
out  of  the  Blood,  the  Syftole  of  the 
E  2  Heart 


$2        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


Heart  is  Weaker :  for  the  Heart  be- 
ing a  Mufcle  that  gives  the  greateft 
Motion  to  the  Blood,  and  its  Con- 
traction being  'Weaker,  the  Blood  will 
be  fqueez'd  out  of  the  left  Ventricle 
into  the  Aorta,  with  lefs  Force,  and 
run  thorow  the  whole  Series  of  Ar- 
teries with  lefs  Velocity ;  and  there^ 
fore  a  lefs  quantity  of  Blood  will  be 
thrown  into  the  Arteries  in-  the  ufual 
time,  and  they  likewife  be  lefs  di- 
ftended.  Now  all  this  is  occafion'd 
by  a  greater  Difcharge  in  time  of  a 
Diarrhoea :  wherefore,  during  a  Diar^ 
rba?ay  the  Pulfe  is  often  Little  and  Weak. 

.  The  u.  ^  XXVIII.  When  die  natural  Quan- 
a  "man  ™  $W  °^  Urine  is  about  fifty  Ounces, 
quantity,  and  the  Quantity  difcharg'd  in  time 
of  a  Diarrhoea  will  not  exceed  fix  Oun- 
ces in  the  Space  of  24  Hours,  it  is 
eafy  to  be  imagined  that  this  Quan- 
tity of  Urine  muft  needs  be  very 
frnall.  But  if  we  reflect  that  the  li- 
quid part  of  the  Urine  is  the  Serum 
of  the  Blood,  and  this  Serum  of  Blood 
the  Subftance  of  Perfpiration  ;  which 
during  natural  Secretions  is  voided  in 
certain  Proportions  at  their  feveral 

Parts 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.         $  3 

Parts,  this  Difturbance  in  the  Se- 
cretions that  occafions  an  interrup- 
ted Tranfpiration,  caufes  alfo  a  great- 
er Secretion  of  Urinous  Serum  to  be 
difcharg'd  at  the  fame  time  by  the 
Glands  of  the  Guts :  and  therefore  as 
ia  time  of  a  Diarrhea  the  Tranfpira- 
tion  is  lefs,  fo  likewife  the  Secretion 
of  Urine  lefs ;  Or,  in  time  of  a  Dtar- 
rhcea,  there  is  made  but  a  fmall  Quantity 
of  Drive* 

§  XXIX.  Since  aTartarous  Subftance,    it  com- 
together  with  the  ferous  Parts  of  the  j^nlsyits 
Blood  already  mentioned,  is  the  Com-  Neural* 
pofition  of  the  Urine;  And  fince  the  Colour; 
Colour  of  Urine  depends  entirely  on  foretimes 
a  due  Mixture  of  thefe  Parts  of  its  higher. 
Compofition  ;  infomuch  that  a  certain 
Quantity  of  this  Serum  and  thefe  fo- 
lid  Parts  give  a  determinate  Colour : 
When,  therefore,  this  natural  Quanti- 
ty of  thefe  Ingredients  are  in  any 
Quantity  of  Urine,  the  Colour  of  it 
is  likewife  natural.  And  thus  it  is  e- 
vident  why  the  Colour  of  Vrine  is  na- 
tural in  a  Diarrhoea,  tho'  its  Quanti- 
ty be  lefs  than  natural.    On  the  o- 
ther  fide ;  the  Quantity  of  Serum  ex- 
E  j  ceeding 


£4-         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

ceeding  the  natural  Quantity  of  fo 
lid  Parts,  the  Colour  of  Urine  be- 
comes Paler  than  natural.  But  when 
the  Quantity  of  Tartarous  Parts  are 
augmented,  while  there  is  a  natural 
Quantity  of  Serum,  the  Colour  of  U- 
rine  is  always  higher  than  natural; 
and  ftill  more  in  Proportion  to  this 
Inequality  of  the  Compofition.  And 
therefore  in  a  Diarrhea,  when  the  U- 
rine  is  Lixivial,  the  natural  Quantity 
of  folid  Parts  is  difcharg'd  in  the  U- 
rine  tho>  a.  great  Part  of  its  Serum 
is  voided  by  the  Inteftines:  or  elfe 
the  Tartarous  Parts  may  encreafe  in 
time  of  this  fmaller  Secretion  of  Se- 
rum in  the  Kidneys.  Upon  both  thefe 
accounts  the  Colour  of  the  Water 
will  be  higher,  even  to  be  Lixivial ; 
and  this  upon  account  of  a  Diarrhea. 
Wherefore,  a  lefs  Quantity  of  Serum 
being  in  the  Compofition  of  Urine, 
becaufe  of  a  Diarrhcta,  makes  it  of  a 
high  Colour  in  this  Diftemper,  as 
has  been  often  obfervM, 

sw?stne  §r  XXX.  The  natural  Colour  of 
fomc      Stools  is  altogether  from  the  Bile; 

t™sSofe  and  tIie  Bile  SiVes>  very  different  Co- 
wine  lours 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

lours,  according  to  the  Degrees  of  its 
own  Fluidity :  The  thineft  Bile  is 
of  the  purell  Yellow  and  of  a  bitter 
Tafte  ;  when  it  is  thicker  it  is  like 
Yolks  of  Eggs,  and  browner,  and 
faltifh.  But  fuch  a  Mixture  among 
Phlegm,  indigefted  Stuff,  and  fuch  o- 
ther  things,  common  enough  in  a 
Diarrhoea,,  appears  like  Lees  of  Wine. 
And  therefore,  when  fuch  Bile  is 
thus  convey M  into  the  Guts  and  caft 
forth  with  the  Stools,  thefe  Excre- 
ments and  Stools  in  time  of  a  Diar- 
rhoea are  of  the  fame  Colour,  or  like 
Lees  of  Wine. 

§.  XXXI.  By  this  Explanation  of 
Symptoms,  which  are  along  with  a 
Diarrhoea,  we  may  be  fufficiently  ap- 
prifed  of  their  Nature  :  And  by  this, 
it  is  very  manifeft  how  they  proceed 
purely  from  thofe  we  have  already 
found  to  precede  them  as  their  Cau- 
fes.  We  have  likewife  a  clear  View 
of  Indications  for  the  Method  of  their 
Cure.  Now  if  the  confequent  Symp- 
toms of  a  Diarrhea  follow  as  evident- 
ly from  its  Continuance,  as  their  Na- 
ture does  from  its  Caufes,  we  mult 
E  4  efteem 


$6        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

efteem  it  paft  all  manner  of  Doubt, 
that  this  is  really  the  genuine  Pro- 
duction of  a  Diarrhea,  and  of  all  its 
fubfequent  Symptoms,  Let  us  then, 
in  the  next  Place,  confider  what  Re- 
lation the  Symptoms  that  fucceed  a 
Diarrhoea  may  have  to  thofe  that  at- 
tend it. 

Afc     §.  XXXII.  That  a  Diarrhoea,  has 
-ftcdfe-  cotinued  fometimes  feven  Days  upon 
'n  Days  People  without  any  illCpnfequence,  is 
tgood    the  Obfervation  of  (a)  Cornelius  Celfus: 

pretended  time  of  Nature  is  over  be- 
fore any  Cure  is  endeavourM,  is  nei- 
ther agreeable  with  this  Account  of 
Celfus,  nor  conformable  to  common  Ob- 
fervation. This  is  indeed  plain,  that 
it  becomes  daily  more  and  more 
dangerous  after  this  ftated  and  men- 
tioned time.  He  fays,  It  is  often  for 
our  Health  to  have  a  Loofnefs  for  one 
Day  :  Nay,  and  for  more  too,  provided 
there  is  no  Fever,  and  that  it  gives  over 
before  the  feventh  Day.  His  Reafon 
follows  :  Becaufe  the  Body  is  purged, 
and  what  would  have  hurt  us  if  kept  with- 
in 


(a)  Lib.  4.  cap.  19. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

ibr,  is  profitably  voided.    This  Expref- 
fion  of  the  Learned  Celfm  has  not  on- 
ly been  much  miftaken,  but  dange- 
roufly  mifapply'd  by  Phyficians,  (more 
cunning  than  knowing)  who  lightly 
efteem  the  Lives  of  their  Patients, 
and  cover,  by  this  Expreffion,  their 
want  of  Succefs  and  Inability  to  cure, 
when  they  perfwade  fick  People  into 
Patience  by  the  Authority  of  this 
Great  Man.    But  'tis  evident  if  there 
be  a  Fever,  the  fick  Perfon  is  in  no 
fafe  Condition.    And  afterwards,  pro- 
longing time  is  dangerous ;  for  it  fome- 
times  brings  on  a  Bloody  flux  and  Fe- 
vers, and  it  confumes  the  Strength.  So 
the  Danger  is  at  any  time,  when  thofe 
Symptoms  appear;  and  confequently 
it  is  then  requifite  to  perform  the 
Cure.    This  is  perfeftly  conformable 
to  his  own  Praftice :  For  he  is  clear 
againft  doing  any  thing  for  one  Day  ; 
and  if  it  goes  off  then,  he  gives  you 
a  Method  for  preventing  its  Return. 
But,  that  he  forbears  alio  in  the  fol- 
lowing Days  is  an  abfolute  Miltake; 
lince  you  have  his  Practice  in  the 
fecond,   third,  and  following  Days. 
Moreover,  this  Opinion  of  Celfus  only 

comprehends 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


comprehends  thofe  Loofneffes,  whofe 
Caufes  may  be  voided  in  the  Courfe 
of  the  Difeafe.  Now  if  indigejled  Food, 
flimuUting  Fruits,  or  any  fuch  Cau- 
fes, already  mentioned,  produced  the 
Loofneffes  ;  it  may  perhaps  be  profi- 
tably difcharg'd  in  a  Day.  On  theo- 
ther  hand,  it  is  as  plain,  that  it  will 
always  be  too  foon  to  ftop  a  Loofnefs, 
if  thefe  Caufes  are  not  carried  off: 
and  that  you  cannot  ftop  it  too  foon, 
provided  you  can  make  fure  of  thefe 
Caufes.  But,  as  I  have  already  obferv'd, 
this  Rule  of  the  Learned  C  elf  us  on- 
ly reaches  the  Cure  of  thofe  Loof- 
neffes, that  are  produced  in  the  men- 
tioned manner :  Yet ;  as  a  DUrrhcea, 
may  be  made  by  many  other  and 


not  ftimulate  have  nothing  of  Cor- 
ruption, and  cannot  be  voided  and  dif- 
charg'd  in  its  Continuance,  it  is  ve- 
ry manifeft  that  this  Counfel  of  CeU 
fus  does  not,  in  the  leaft,  concern  the 
Management  of  thefe  forts  of  Loof- 
nefles. A  good  deal  more  might  be 
here  confiderM:  but  that  it  tails  in 
more  properly  when  we  are  to  treat 
of  the  Maxims  for  curing  this  Di- 


Caufes,  and  thofe  that  do 


ftemper. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  £9 

ftemper.  We  fliall  only  obferve  that 
there  is  no  time  to  be  loft  in  curing 
a  Loofnefs:  and  Avicenna,  fays,  that 
there  is  no  Safety  in  any  Difeafe  that 
begins  with  a  Loofnefs. 

§.  XXXIII.  But  one  of  the  moft  fo  There 
common  Symptoms,  that  always  at-  xftrfat 
tends  a  Diarrhcea  of  any  Continuance,  a  Lok  of 
is  a  Lofs  of  Flefh.  For  Plumpnefs  vleIh- 
and  the  Fulnefs  of  Flefh,  is  only  as 
the  Blood  Velfels  of  Mufcles  are  filPd 
with  Liquors :  fo  that  the  greater 
Quantity  of  Blood  there  happens  to  be 
in  them,  they  are  the  more  diftend- 
ed,  thicker,  and  there  is  more  Flefh. 
But,  in  a  Diarrbcea,  the  Chyle  is  di- 
verted from  its  Canals,  and  there  is 
not  a  due  Supply  to  the  Parts  wafted, 
in  the  natural  Secretions ;  and,  con- 
fequently,  a  Lofs  of  Flejh.  Moreover, 
the  great  Quantity  of  Serum  difcharg'd 
in  the  Guts,  and  that  makes  the  li- 
quid Stools,  has  been  prov'd  to  be  fe- 
parated,  at  the  Glands  of  the  Inte- 
ftins,  from  the  Blood  :  and  therefore 
this  extraordinary  Difcharge  of  the 
Serum  of  the  Blood,  leffening  the 
the  Quantity  of  Blood,  occaiions  that 


6o         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


lefs  of  it  remains  in  the  Blood  Veffels. 
But  the  thicknefs  of  Mufcles  being  as 
the  quantity  of  Blood  in  the  Mufcular 
Fibres,  and  that  being  lefs  at  this  time, 
they  muft  be  lanker   and  thinner. 
Wherefore,  by  the  Duration  of  a  Diar- 
rhoea, there  is  a  Lofs  of  Flefb. 
Faintnefs.     §.  XXXIV.  Likewife,  the  Strength 
of  our  Body  is  in  a  certain  Propor- 
tion to  the  Quantity  and  Fluidity  of 
Blood,  or  its  Spirits,  in  the  Fibres  of 
the  Mufcles ;  but  in  a  Diarrhoea,  which  is 
chiefly  maintained  by  draining  from  the 
Blood,  the  Quantity  of  Blood  and  Spi- 
rits are  leffen'd,  and  by  them  the  Force 
of  the  Mufcles,  or  our  Strength.  Now 
fince  Faintnefs  is  a  Lofs  of  Strength 
to  fuch  a  Degree  that  we  are  in  dan- 
ger of  falling  down  thro'  mere  Weak- 
nefs,  and  that  by  the  Continuance  or 
Greatnefs  of  this  Difcharge  from  the 
Blood  by  the  Inteftines,  our  Strength 
may  be  impaired  to  any  Degree,  it 
is  v.ery  manifeft  how  a  Diarrhoea  ta- 
iling on  any  one  will  make  him  Faint. 
Moreover,  the  Caufe  of  fuch  a  Dif- 
charge has  been  obferv'd,  lometimes, 
to  be  a  greater  thicknefs  of  Blood:  and 
confequently  this  Faintnefs  will  be  not 


Of  a  Diarrhoea  61 

only  upon  the  Account  of  the  Difcharge 
and  its  Continuance,  but  alfo  becaufe 
a  Mixture  of  thicker  JBlood,  which 
contains  fewer  Spirits  in  the  Fibrous 
Veficles,  is  vaftiy  ineffe&ual  for  a  na- 
tural Contraction  of  the  Mufcles ;  by 
which  means  alfo  we  become  Faint, 

§.  XXXV.  The  Pulfe  is  Great  or  ThePuife 
Little  as  is  the  Quantity  of  Blood  dri-  Little  and 
ven  into  an  Artery,  at  every  time  the  r°met.imes 
Heart  is  contracted.  Now  in  this  iar.  1  ^ 
conftant  Evacuation  and  Difcharge 
from  the  Blood,  the  Quantity  of  Blood 
muft  needs  be  Ids,  and  a  lefs  Quan- 
tity of  Blood  than  natural  being  im- 
pelled into  an  Artery,  at  this  time, 
the  Pulfe  wUl  be  likewife  lefs ;  and 
as  the  Quantity  of  Blood  becomes 
Small  and  Little,  fo  the  Pulfe  is  Lit- 
tle^  when  a  Diarrhea  has  continued 
for  any  time.  When  this  Difcharge 
has  been  Great  and  Lafting,  the  Pulfe 
has  been  obferv'd  to  Vermiculate,  or 
to  produce  fuch  a  Feeling  that  refem- 
bles  the  Crawling  of  a  Worm;  For, 
when  it  moves  there  feems  to  be  a 
Drawing  and  Swelling  in  the  for- 
ward Part  and  then  an  Emptying 

and 


62         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


and  Lanknefs  in  the  other,  (a)  A 
Great  Author  queftions  the  Reality 
of  fuch  a  Pulfe,  and  thinks  it  is  made 
by  the  Fingers  preffing  harder  on  one 
Place  than  on  another.  Yet  it  is  cer- 
tain that  there  is  a  Vermiculating 
Pulfe,  and  it  is  altogether  owing  to 
the  very  fmall  Quantity  of  Blood  then 
flowing  in  the  Artery;  and  fhall  be 
farther  explain^  in  treating  of  Pulfes, 
in  another  Edition  of  my  Animal 
Oeconomy. 

A  liente-     §•  XXXVI.  A  Diarrhcea,  lafting  on 
Ha  and    a  Perfon,  brings  after  it  a  Lienteria 
]fa^Ccc'  and  Paffio  Cvliaca;  or  with  the  liquid 
Stools  the  Meat  is  thrown  out  very 
little  chang'd  from  what  it  was  when 
we  firfl:  eat  it,  or  fomewhat  more 
digefted  and  liquid.    Now  by  this 
early  voiding  of  our  Food,  it  is  plain 
the  Stomach  and  Inteftines  have  their 
contracting  Force  much  augmented, 
the  Food  being  expelPd  before  its 
time  of  digefting,  or  that  the  dige- 
fted Part  can  be  thruft  into  the  Lac- 
.  teals.    Now  this  Power  is  not  aug- 
mented 


(a)  Laur.  Bellini. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

mented,  but  either  by  a  greater  Quan- 
tity of  Spirits  deriv'd  into  the  Muf- 
cles  of  the  Stomach  and  Inteftines, 
or  that  the  Quantity  there  is  exci- 
ted and  ftimulated.  Not  the  firft,  by 
what  is  already  faid ;  and  the  fecond 
is  a  common  Caufe  of  a  Diarrhoea: 
and  therefore,  when  the  Stomach  and 
Inteftins  have  been  ftimulated  for  any 
time,  by  thefe  Caufes  of  a  Diarrhea, 
they  are  forc'd  to  throw  out  every 
thing  they  contain,  fooner  or  later  in 
Proportion  to  the  ftimulating  Power* 
For  which  reafon,  a  Lienteria  and  Paf 
fw  Cceliaca  follow  often  a  Diarrhoea. 
And  one  or  the  other  as  the  Stomach 
or  Inteftines  happen  to  be  moft  fti- 
mulated. 

§.  XXXVII.  It  is  the  Obfervation 
of  Hipocrates  that  (a)  a  Dyfentery  fol- 
lows a  Diarrhoea^  and  he  places  this 
fucceeding  (b)  as  a  very  ill  Sign  in  a 
Diarrhoea.  Now  a  Dyfentery,  accor- 
ding to  him  is  (c)  a  Loofnefs  with 
Griping  and  Pains  all  over  the  Bel- 
ly ;  and  the  Perfon,  thus  ill,  voids 

Gall, 


•>  * 

60  Aph.75.Sea.  7.   C^Aph.  3$.   (0  DeAfFea. 


Of  a  Diarrhpea^ 

Gall,  Phlegm  and  Blood.  But,  to 
have  Blood  difcharg'd  among  other 
things  in  a  Diarrhoea,  the  Blood  Vef- 
fels  muft  be  broken  open,  or  there 
muft  be  Wounds  in  the  Vdins  or  Ar- 
teries of  the  Guts:  and  this  may  be 
by  the  Guts  being  made  thinner  by 
the  violent  Motion  of  thefe  Humours 
along  them,  or  a  long  continuance  of 
a  Diarrhcea  that  is  occafion'd  by  fome 
ftimulating  Caufe.  In  either  of  thefe 
Cafes,  the  Blood  Velfels  of  the  Guts 
will  be  broken,  and  an  EfFufion  of 
Blood  will  be  produced.  Wherefore ; 
when  a  Diarrhea  has  laited  for  fome 
time,  it  will  be  followed  with  a  Dyfente- 
ryi  And  as  this  additional  Symptom 
is  worfe  than  any  of  the  former,  it 
is  evident  that  the  Diftemper  is  aug- 
mented with  more  and  worfe  Symp- 
toms, and  becomes  more  violent. 
So  that  Hippocrates's  Obfervation  is  ve- 
ry juft,  That  a  Dyfentery  following 
a  Diarrhea  is  an  ill  Sign. 

§.  XXXVIII.  At  firft  it  feems  a  lit- 
'  tie  ftrange,  that  the  long  continuance 
of  a  Diarrh&a,  where  the  Serous  Parts 
of  the  Blood  have  been  voided  in 

large 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

large  Quantities,  fhould  occafion  a 
propfy ,  a  Difeafe  wherein  we  fwell 
becauie  of  our  Serum  and  Lympha  be- 
ing choak'd  up  in  their  Velfels,  ef- 
pecially  in  the  Legs,  Thighs,  and 
Belly,  even  to  a  degree  of  burfting : 
fo  that  the  Liquors  in  the  Veflels  of 
the  Abdomen  are  poured  into  its  Ca- 
vity. Yet  that  this  has  been,  is  an 
Obfervation  of  Hippocrates,  and  what 
may  be  feen  every  Day*  He  fays, 
(a)  Serafis  fwelPd,  or  became  Drop- 
fical,  after  a  moift  and  liquid  Belly, 
or  after  a  Diarrhcea.  Now  that  this 
may  be  at  any  time  while  there  are 
Liquids  left  in  our  Body  is  very  iiia- 
nifeft :  Becaiife,  when  thefe  Liquors 
acquire  a  Motion  fo  flow  that  they 
cannot  pafs  apy  Sefltioh  of  their  Veffels 
in  the  time  they  arrive  there,  a 
Quantity  of  this  Liquor  is  interrup- 
ted and  flops,  arid  by  its  obftrti&ing 
diftends  the  Veffels,  and  augments 
the  Bulk;  as  in  the  cafes  of  Drop- 
fies.  But  in  the  greater  continuance 
of  a  Diarrhea,  the  Force  of  the  HeartL 
is  extreamly  impaired,  and  the  Li- 
F  quofs 


(a)  Lib.  2  Fpidem.  Sea.  2. 


66        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

quors  become  much  grolfer ;  fo  that 
upon  botli  thefe  Accounts,  the  Li- 
quors are  much  difpos'd  to  be  ot> 
itru&ed  becaufe  of  their  Groffnefs* 
and  that  they  are  not  fo  ftrongly 
propelPd.  And,  therefore,  in  a  Di- 
arrhoea of  a  long  ftanding,  there  may 
follow  a  Drofjj. 

Death.  §.  XXXIX.  Death  is  the  Difcontinu- 
ance  of  the  Circulation  of  the  Blood  ;  fa 
that  at  once  it  becomes  manifeft  how 
Death  muft  be  the  Confequence  of  a 
Diarrhea  lafting  any  confiderable  time* 
For,  the  Motion  of  the  Blood  is  as 
the  Quantity  of  Spirits  neceffary  to 
contraft  the  Heart  and  Arteries  \ 
fuice  by  the  Contra&ion  of  the  Heart,, 
and  the  Reftoring  of  the  Arteries,, 
the  Motion  is  at  firft  caufed  and 
continued  over  all  the  Body.  Now^i 
by  the  great  Difcharges  made  out  of 
the  Blood,  in  a  Diarrhoea  there  is  a 
great  Wafte  of  Blood  and  Spirits: 
which  Wafte  continuing  a  due  time,, 
may  be  fuch  that  the  Heart  cannot; 
be  contracted  \  fo  that  the  Circula- 
tion muft  fail,  and  Death  fucceed* 
Wherefore  it  is  manifeft?  how  Death 

often 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  67 


often  fucceeds   the  longer  continu- 
ance of  a  Dixrrhoea. 

§.  XL.  On  the  other  hand,  if  all    if  ini- 
this  Danger  and  Death  are  fometimes  E™Perlay 
prevented  by  proper  Adminiftrations,  purkli 
yet  thofe  that  are  improper,  or  un-  caufes  an 
duely  employed,  may  prevent,  indeed,  ^sm"^? 
our  dying  in  a  Diarrhxa,  but  they  ach. 
will  produce  more  grievous  Symp- 
toms than  any  we  have  feen  in  a 
Diarrhea,  and  introduce  Death  at  lali 
under  a  worfe  Form.    Now  a  DUr- 
rbaa  is  really  too  foon  and  improper- 
ly ftopt,  when  it  is  ftopt  before  its 
Caufes  arc  removed  \  or  that  it  re- 
moves otherwife  than  together  with 
its  Caufcs,  without  any  regard  had 
to  any  time.    Next   the  Remedies 
for  it  arc  improper,   h.  e-.  of  that 
Nature  that  may  remove  it  foon 
enough,  but  that  do  not  affeQ:  its 
Caufes.    In  fuch  Circumftance  it  is 
very  natural  for  the  Stomach  and 
Bowels,  the  Scene  of  this  Diftemper, 
to  give  the  firft  Complaints  of  this  ill 
Ufage :  For  when  the  Stomach  or 
Guts  continue  full  of  indigested  Food, 
unripe  Fruits,  watry  Humours  pour- 
F  2  ing 


68        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

ring  into  them,  and  the  like ;  and 
thofe  ftimulating  the  Stomach,  will 
give  us  fuch  Senfations  of  its  Ful- 
nefs,  by  Pain,  Naufeoufnefs,  and  other 
common  ways  of  Uneafinefsj  as  will 
make  us  fufficiently  fenfible  that  the 
Diarrhoea  was  too  foon  and  improperly 
flopfL 

The  Bow-  ^  XLI.  After  the  fame  manner, 
flam'd1.111"  Bowels  being,  violently  ftimula- 
ted  by  Subftances  conftantly  apply'd 
to,  and  ftopp'd  up  in  them,  make  a 
great  Derivation  of  Blood  and  other 
Liquors  into  their  VefTels ;  which 
Blood,  thus  deriv'd,  diftends  thefe 
VefTels  in  an  extraordinay  manner  : 
and  this  extraordinary  Diftention  of 
Blood  VefTels  is  an  Inflammation,. 
Wherefore  the  Bowels  have  this  In- 
flammation by  their  Blood  VelTels 
being  diftended,  becaufe  of  an  extra- 
ordinary Afflux  by  their  being  fti- 
mulated  in  a  Diarrb&a  improperly 
cur'd,  or  flopped.  Moreover,  the 
Quantity  oi  Ser  um  difcharging  out  of 
the  Blood  being  /ike wife  interrupted, 
is  choak'd  up  and  is  lodg'd  with  the 
Blood  in-  the  VefTels  of  the  Bowels ; 

which 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  69 

which  greater  Quantity  of  Blood  flow- 
ing lefs  freely  in  thefe  Veffels,  diftends 
them  as  is  faid,  and  occaiions  an  In- 
flammation. We  fee  then  how  a  D;- 
drrhcea  improperly  ftopp'd,  may  caufe 
an  Inflammation  in  the  Bowels. 


A  Fever. 


§.  XLII.  Next,  if  we  confider  what 
happens  to  the  Blood  when  a  Diar- 
rhoea, is  ftoppM  and  its  Caufes  not 
xemovM  ;  or,  when  there  is  no  Dis- 
charge of  its  watry  Parts  in  .the  Guts, 
and  the  Tranfpiration  not  augmented, 
in  that  cafe,  there  muft  be  a  great- 
er Velocity  of  the  Blood  than  natu- 
ral ;  which  greater  Velocity  likewife 
•caufes  Heat.  Now  a  greater  Veloci- 
ty of  the  Blood  than  natural,  with 
Heat,  is  a  Fever:  And  therefore  a 
DiarrbceA  Stopp'd  unduely  may  pro- 
duce a  Fever,  as  has  been  found. 

§.  XJJII.  On  the  other  fide ;  while  Head- 
the  Blood  continues  thus  to  circulate  achs,  lc- 
without  its  due  Secretions,  and  we  anYothcr 
to  take  Nourifhment  at  the  fame  Difsafes. 
time,  the  Quantity  of  Blood  muft 
needs  be  augmented.    Now  a  Quan- 
tity of  Blood  moving  round  the  Bo- 
F  j  dy 


o         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

dy  without  natural  Secretions,  and 
tnat  upon  the  account  of  a  natu- 
ral Inability  it  fometimes  has  to  bq 
fecreted,  fills  the  Veffels  of  feveral 
Parts  as  they  may  be  difpos'd.  If 
of  the  Head,  a  greater  Quantity  of 
Blood  flowing  more  llowly  there  di- 
ftends  its  Veifels  and  gives  Pain,  or 
the  Head-ach.  But  if  the  VelTels  of 
the  Brain,  then  the  Nerves  are  com- 
prefs'd,  Animal  Spirits  not  feparated, 
nor  convey M  in  a  due  Quantity; 
and  from  thence  Lethargies,  Apoplexies, 
&c.  and  fo  for  other  Difeafes  as 
their  Parts  may  be  affe&ed,  where 
they  are  produced,  and  with  them 
Death  when  they  prove  fatal.  Where- 
fore a  Diarrhea  improperly  cur'd,  or 
ftopp'd  up  brings  Head-achs,  Verti- 
go's, Lethargies^  and  other  Difeafes, 
and  even  r>eath,-according  to  the  va* 
rious  Conftitutions  and  Difpofitions 
of  the  affe&ed  Perfons. 

§.  XLIV.  Thus  it  is  evident  that 
the  confequent  Symptoms  of  a  Diar- 
rhea follow  as  neceffarily  from  its 
continuance,  or  being  unduely  ftopp'd, 
as  the  Symptoms  along  with  it  did 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  71 

from  its  Caufes;  and  therefore  it  is 
now  part  Difpute,  that  this  is  the 
genuine  Production  of  a  Diarrhoea. 
Which  is  nothing  elfe  than  a  more  w 
frequent  going  to  Stool  with  Slime,  Gall,  Durrhvt. 
md  other  Humours,  becaufe  of  an  Ex- 
traordinary Contraction  of  the  Guts,  an 
Jncreafe  of  Excrements,  their  greater  Li- 
quidity, or  of  mojl  if  not  of  all  of  them 
together. 

§.  XLV.  J  am  fenfible,  after  all  ofaCri. 
this  Exa&nefs,  that  I  may  feem  to  e c^  an? 
have  omitted  another   fort  of  Diar*  JaricaT 
rhva,  which  has  no  Place  in  my  Di-  Dimh^i. 
yifion  of  Loofneffes,  nor  among  the 
Symptoms  of  a  Diarrhea.    This  is 
when  Authors  divide  it  into  a  Criti- 
cal and  Sjmptomatical  Diarrhea.  The 
firft  happens  for  the  Good  of  the  Sick 
Perfon  ,and  is  tolerable,  and  by  it  the 
Diftemper   goes    off  either  altoge- 
ther, or  is  much  diminilh'd.  The 
latter    gives  great  Dillurbance  to 
thofe  that    are  indifpos'd,  deftroys 
their  Strength,  and  the  Difeafe  is  ei- 
ther augmented  by  it,  or  continues 
much  in  the  fame  Condition.  But 
this  is  faying  no  more  than  what  is 
F  4  already 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

already  objected  from  the  Words  of 
Celfus :  and  unlefs  Marks  and  Symp- 
toms   were   difcover'd    when  this 
Loofnefs  will  prove  Critical  or  Symp- 
tomatica^ this  Diftinffcian  does  not 
ferve  us  to  any  other  ufe  or  pur- 
pofe,  befides  obferving  that  a  Man 
may  be  cur'd  of  a  Dife^fe,  and  kill'd 
even  of  the  fame,  by  a  Diarrhoea; 
And  this  I  have  already  remarked. 
I  freely  acknowledge  that  Marks  may 
be  brought,  or  rather  that  thefe  times 
of  a  Diarrhoea  may  be  determined 
from  this  Account  now  given  of  it, 
and  by  what  has  been  faid  (a)  in 
another  Place  :    But  ftill  this  general 
Divifion  of  a  Diarrhcea  is   no  more 
than  what  is  given  of  every  Diftem- 
per,  and  therefore  does  not  deferve  a 
more  particular  Confideration,  I  fhall 
only  obferve  a  Sign  or  two  of  thefe 
two  Diarrhoeas  commonly  brought  in 
by  the  bell  Authors,r  whereby  it 
will  be  manifeft,  that  it  is  reafon- 
ing,  or  a  right  comparing  thefe  Qb- 
fervations,  that  is  only  able  to  deter- 
mine 


(i)  Sol.  probl.  de  purgantium  &c.  Cor.  prop.  2. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

mine  the  prefent  Queftioa.  For  the 
purpofe,  (a)  a  Serous  Loofhefs  is  rec- 
koned as  a  Critical  Diarrhoea  when 
it  is  without  any  foregoing  Difeafe, 
and  only  happens  to  fuch  Perfons  in 
whole  Veins  there  is  too  great  an 
Abundance  of  Serum,  and  elpecially 
about  Autumn,  when  the  Night 
or  Morning  cold  of  that  Seafon  finds 
the  Pores  of  the  Skin  and  the  Paf- 
fages  of  the  external  Parts  open  up- 
on the  Account  of  the  preceding 
Summer  ;  for  which  reafon  infinua- 
ting  it  felf  deeper  into  the  Bo- 
dy throws  the  Serous  Humours  into 
the  Lower  Parts,  which  Nature  be- 
ing opprefs'd  with  their  too  great 
Abundance,  drives  into  the  Inteftins 
by  the  Mefaraick  Veins.  But  by 
what  has  been  faid,  this  Coldnefs  of 
the  Seafon  is  manifeftly  one  of  the 
greateft  Caufes  of  a  Diarrhoea.  In- 
deed that  Serous  Diarrhoea  is  no  more 
Critical  than  any  other:  for  the  ve- 
ry Notion  of  any  Diftemper  which 
we  call  Critical  or  Symptomatical  is 
that  it  a&ually  prefuppofes  fome  other 

Diftemper 


(a)  Riv.  Lib.  10.  cap,  5. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Diftemper :  nay,  it  is  perhaps  im- 
poffible  to  determine  when  a  Dw- 
rhcea,  will  prove  Critical  or  Symp- 
tomatica^ othetwife  than  by  the 
mentioned  Method.  This  will  be- 
come more  evident  when  we  treat  of 
Prognofticks  in  a  Diarrhcea.  On  the 
other  hand;  this  Symptomatical  Di- 
arrhoea, is  often  Colliquative  when 
it  is  along  with  hot  or  malignant 
Fevers,  and  is  known  by  the  Symp- 
toms fpoke  of  when  I  mentioned  a 
Colliquative  Diarrhea:  Then,  the 
whole  Body  is  confum'd  and  wafted 
and  very  near  brought  into  a  Maraf 
mut*  Now,  it  is  evidently  provM,  let 
a  Diarrhau  be  produc'd  by  any  of  its 
Caufes,  that  it  may  run  on,  and  thro' 
long  continuance  not  only  carry  one  in- 
to this  emaciated  State,  but  even  to  the 
Grave  it  felf.  So  that  there  is  not 
any  one  appearance  of  a  Diarrhwa, 
whereby  they  can  fettle  it  to  be  Cri- 
tical or  Symptomatical.  This  is  plain; 
For  how  often  do  we  find  thefe  hot 
Fevers  carried  off  by  a  DUrrhcea,  and 
the  fick  Perfon  recovered:  And  there- 
fore it  is  not  fo  much  the  Diarrhcex 
being  qlong  with  any  one  Difeafe 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

that  makes  it  Critical  or  Symptoma- 
tica!, as  the  time  and  circumftances 
of  the  Difeafe  and  fick  Perfon  con- 
junctly, that  are  to  be  confider'd. 

§.  XLVI.  Since  I  have  been  oblig'd 
to  infift  upon  this  Divifion  fo  parti- 
cularly, it  may  not  be  improper  to 
mention  fome  few  Inftances  of  thefe 
Diarrh&as. 

(a)  Difeafes  of  the  Sides,  Inflam- 
mations of  the  Lungs,  Hot  Fevers, 
and  whatever  Difterppers  are  repu- 
ted acute,  cannot  happen  nor  come 
to  any  great  Height  when  we  go 
loofe  to  Stool.    Thus  fays  Hippacra- 

|tli 

As  alfo  (b)  that  a  Diarrhea  is  per- 
nicious in  a  Pleurify,  Peripneumonia 
or  an  Empyema,  (c)  Among  the  O- 
niatl*)  Scomphus  being  ill  of  a  Pleuri- 
fy died  delirous  the  feventh  Day; 
But  he  drank  a  purging  Draught,  and 
was  Well  in  his  Senfes  before,  nor 
was  he  much  purgM:  Yet,  he  be- 
came delirous  in  the  purging,  and 
that  almoft  in  the  Beginning. 

(a)  Zjicutw 


O)  Lib.dc  aere,  loc.  &  aq.  (b)  Lib.  i.  de  Morb. 
(0  Lib.  5,Epidem. 


j6       Of  a  Diarrhcea- 

(a)  Zjcutm  Lufitanu*  relates  much 
fuch  another  Cafe,  where  the  Spit- 
ting being  ftopp'd  by  a  Purge,  the 
Perfon  died. 

(b)  Hippocrates  likewife  obferves 
that  a  plentiful  Diarrhoea  happening 
in  time  of  a  Hot  Fever  is  full  of 
Danger. 

(c)  He  fays  too  that  a  Diarrhoea  fel- 
ling in  with  a  Leucophlegmatia  cer- 
tainly cures  it.  Now  by  the  fame 
Authority,  this  Dropfy  is  fometimes 
occafion'd  by  the  long  continuance 
of  a  Diarrhea,  and  now  a  Diarrhoea, 
coming  upon  it  is  its  Cure. 

This  feeming  Contradiction  is  .eafi- 
ly  reconciled  if  both  thefe  Fafts  are 
confider'd  in  different  refpe&s  of 
Strength  of  the  fick  People,  and  the 
like  :  But  this  is  altogether  the  Work 
of  Reafon. 


ThePxog-     ^  XL VII.  Our  prefent  Difcourfe 
nofticksT  feems  to  lead  us  into  that  Part  of 
Method  Authors  fpeak  of  under  the 
Head  of  Prognofticks.    The  Fore- 
Knowledge  or  Prognoftick  of  a  Diar- 
rhea 


(a)  Lib.2Prax.MirandxObf.  116.  (b)  Coac.j2$. 
(c)  aph.  23.  Seft.  7. 


Of  a  Diarrha. 

rha?a>  or  of  any  other  Diftemper,  is 
that  Knowledge  whereby  we  can 
foretell  what  IiTue  the  Difeafe  is  like 
to  have  on  any  Perfon.    This  is  a 
material  but  the  moft  difficult  Part  of 
a  Phyfician's  Bufinefs,  and  very  juft- 
ly  is  the  Meafure  of  Efteem  among 
his  Patients:  for  that  Phyfician  can 
only  be  faid  to  be  the  beft  who  is 
the  greateft  Mafter  of  thefe  Events. 
But,  as  I  faid,  it  is  difficult:  for  a 
Phyfician  that  will  do  this,  mull  be 
able  to  determine  the  Force  and  the 
Quantity  of  the  Difeafe,  the  Strength 
and  Conftitution  of  the  fick  Perfon, 
and  the  Powers  and  Virtues  of  his 
Medicines.    Every  individual  Patient 
becomes  a  Queftioii  to  be  folv'd  \  and 
we  do,  and  muft  reafon  about  his 
Circumftances  and  of  what  is  beft  to 
be  done,  let  us  profefs  our  felves 
ever  fo  great  Enemies  to  Specula- 
tion, Theory,  or  Reafon  £t  any  other 
time.    There  is  no  Precedent  for  an 
individual  Sick  of  a  Diarrhea  ;  his 
Cafe  and  Circumftances  are  not  like 
to  refemble  thofe  of  any  one  we  hacl 
lately  under  our  Care,  and  that  in 
every  Particular  which  may  call  for 

fome 


Of 


a  Diarrhoea. 

fome  Variation  in  the  Practice  :  yet 
this  Art  of  comparing,  this  Theory, 
is  the  only  means  to  come  by  it. 
Now  tho'  it  be  about  this  Part  of 
our  Inquiry  that  Authors  have  al- 
ways thought  fit  to  give  an  Account 
of  thefe  their  Expe&ations  and  Hopes, 
or  have  written  their  Prognofticks, 
yet  they  depending  very  much  on 
the  Nature  of  thole  Medicines  that 
are  us'd  for  the  Cure,  and  which 
we  have  had  no  Opportunity  to  dif- 
cufs,  'twill  by  no  means  be  proper 
to  meddle  with  thefe  Prognofticks  till 
after  we  have  made  fome  inquiry  in- 
to the  Method  and  Medicines  re- 
corded from  Obfervation,  and  that 
their  Propriety  and  Powers  are  fome- 
what  eftablilh'd.  At  prefent,  there- 
fore, I  fhall  fo  far  comply  with  this 
Method  of  Authors,  as  to  write  fome 
Conclufions  and  Corollaries  that  eafily 
follow  from  the  foregoing  Difcourfe, 
and  may  ferve  in  general  for  Progno- 
fticks, and  then  treat  of  the  Methods 
for  curing  a  Diarrbtea ;  and  after- 
wards fomething  more  particular  may 
be  brought  about  this  Subjed  of 
Prognofticks. 

Firjt 


Of  a  Diarrhoea* 

Firft  then  it  follows,  in  genera!, 
that  the  Duration  and  Fatality  of  a 
Diarrhcea,  will  be  in  proportion  to  its 
Caufes ;  b.  e.  if  it  is  produced  by  Cau- 
fes in  the  Body,  it  muft  have  worfe 
Confequences  than  when  its  Caufes 
are  external. 

Secondly,  2,  great  Difcharge  of  wa- 
try  Humours  into  the  Guts  upon  the 
Account  of  Age,  or  of  an  ill  Habit 
of  Body,  efpecially  in  clear  and  mo- 
derate Air,  is  a  great  deal  worfe 
than  a  like  Difchage  occafion'd  by 
foggy  Weather,  or  in  a  damp  Coun- 
try. 

Thirdly,  a  Diarrhtra  that  proceeds 
from  the  Stimulus  of  Gall  is  worfe 
than  one  by  early  Fruits  or  indige- 
fted  Food. 

And  laftly,  all  thefe  will  operate 
more  powerfully  when  the  Guts  are 
divefted  of  their  Muctts,  are  Ulcera- 
ted, or  Cancerous. 

Many  more,  might  be  added  with 
refped  to  other  Difeafes  whofe  Na- 
ture 


80        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

ture  and  State  are  perfe&ly  well 
known. 

The  Cure  XLVIII.  Next  as  to  what  con- 
°rbxtftar  eerns  the  Cure  of  a  Diarrhcea,  it  is 
certain,  from  the  Hiftory  of  the  means 
employ'd  in  it,  that  there  are  none 
of  the  Helps,  which  have  at  any  time 
been  found  ufeful  in  other  Difeafes, 
that  have  not  likewife  been  try1  d  for 
this.  The  next  Step  then  mail  be 
to  rehearfe  thofe  Means  now  com- 
monly us'd,  and  by  difcovering  their 
Operation  from  their  common  Ef- 
fe£ts  on  this  and  other  Occafions,  we 
may  be  made  fenfible  of  their  Ex- 
cellence, their  Propriety  and  Impro- 
priety on  all  Occafions;  by  this  our 
Choice  may  be  determin'd. 

§.  XLIX.  To  begin  with  Hippocrates, 
(a)  he  fays  that  in  all  Loofneffes  a 
Change  in  the  Stools  is  profitable,  un- 
lefs  that  be  for  the  worfe. 

(£)  The  fame  Author  obferves  that 
our  Stools  are  few   when  a  good 

Quantity 


fa)  Aph.  14  Sea.  2.   (£)  Aph.83Seft.*.' 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Quantity  of  Urine  is  made  in  the 
Night. 

(d)  Cornelius  Celfm  aflfures  lis  that 
a  Loofnefsj  negle&ed  for  fome  Days, 
is  very  hard  to  be  cur'd.  We  muft 
begin  with  a  Vomit:  then,  next  Day 
in  the  Evening  to  be  anointed  in  a 
Warm  Place;  to  eat  moderately,  to 
take  fome  ftrong  rough  Wine;  and 
to  have  fome  Rue  laid  on  the  Belly 
with  a  Cere-cloth :  But  in  this  Di- 
feafe  we  have  no  need  of  Walking 
or  Rubbing :  It  is  ufeful  to  ride  in 
a  Coach,  but  more  alfo  to  get  a 
Horfe-back :  For  there  is  not  any 
thing  that  ftrengthens  the  Bowels 
more. 

That  of  Vomiting  was  already  the 
Obfervation  of  Hippocrates,  (b )  He  fays^ 
If  a  Vomiting  comes  of  it  felf  upon 
any  one  ill  of  a  Diarrhea,  it  carries 
off  the  Diftemper. 

(c)  There  is  not  any  thing  that 
makes  one  more  coftive  than  Coition. 
This  is  fuppos'd  to  be  faid  by  Hip- 
pocratesj  and  moft  of  his  Editors  and 
other  Authors  have  taken  this  to  be 
G  his 


(a)  Lib.  4.  cap.  19.  (b)  A  ph.  i«$,Sefi.  6.  (0?.EpicU 
em.  tctrabibl.  1.  Serm;  3.  cap.  8. 


82         Of  a  Diarrhoea^ 

his  Opinion,  as  Mtiusr  (a)  Pmlus  Egine- 
tay  and  (b)  Amatm  Lufitanus.  Yet,  when 
the  Reafons  of  thefe  Maxims  are  to 
be  inquired  into,  it  will  be  found  that 
he  thought  quite  otherwife,  more 
conformably  to  the  Reafons  of  things, 
and  far  more  modeftly. 

Aftringent  Medicines  are  found  to 
be  the  greateft  Number  in  the  Stores 
of  Phyficians.  (c)  But  Wddfchmidt 
diflwades  us  from  beginning  the  Cure 
with  thofe  kind  of  Medicines :  For 
by  them,  great  Obftru&ions  are  made 
in  the  Bowels  and  Inteftines,  which 
are  hardly  ever  refolv'd,  but  end  in 
Dropfies  and  other  Diftempers. 

Bdglivw  has  obfervM,  that  Sweat* 
ing  happening  in  a  Diarrhea  has  com- 
monly  curM  it. 

Opiate  Medicines  are.  often  employ- 
ed for  the  Cure  of  a  Diarrhcra. 

Bleeding  is  efteem'd  a  powerful 
Remedy  for  a  Diarrhea  by  (d)  Leo- 
nardos Bot alius.  And  (e)  %acutus  Lu-_ 
fitanu*  is  of  the  fame  Opinion*  He 
confirms  it  by  an  Account  of  a  young 

Man 

(a)  Lib.  i.cap.35.  W  Lib.  1  centur.  13.  obf.  li- 
ft) Monif.  Med.  (d)  Cap.  4  de  cur.  per  Sang.  \UtSr. 
(e)  Ds  Med.Princ.  lib.  1  Hift.  81. 


,  Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Man  curM  of  a  Bilous  Diarrbaa  by 
bleedihg  at  the  SalvatelU* 

Bathing  has  often  been  try'd  to 
good  purpofe.  In  elfeQ:,  'tis  wonder- 
ful that  a  Difeafe  which  has  fo  ma- 
ny ways  to  be  ctifM  fhould  prove  fo 
obftinate  and  fatal  as  we  find  it  often 
does.  But  it  is  ftill  more  wonderful 
that  all  thefe  Means  and  other  Afti- 
ftances  afford  us  fo  fmall  Light  in 
pointing  out  Indications  for  its  Cureo 
Wherefore  I  fhall  firft  ffiew  the  di- 
rect Method  of  curing  a  Diarrhoea^ 
and  thereafter  explain  the  Operation 
of  the  Medicines,  either  related  or 
fuggefted  from  the  foregoing  Obfer- 
vations. 

§.  L.  The  principal  Defign  in 
curing  this  Difeafe  is  to  endeavoilr  to 
leffen  the  Periftaltick  Motion  of  the 
Guts,  to  render  the  Stools  more  con- 
fiftent,  or  both.  This  is  the  Con- 
verfe  of  the  Lemma  formerly  men- 
tioned :  and  the  Truth  of  this  Propo- 
fition  manifeftly  appears  from  what 
was  then  demonltratcd.  Let  us 
next  endeavour  to  find  how  far 
iKe  Methods  of  Authors  eftablifh'd 
G  2  from 


Of  a  Diarrhoea^ 


from  Experience  contribute  to  that 
End. 

§.  LI.  The  firfl:  Obfervation  from 
Hipocrates  does  not  direft  us  in  any 
Attempt  for  the  Cure ;  but  is  rather 
a  Sagacious  Remark  when  Nature  is 
doing  the  Work,  and  the  Diftemper 
feems  to  languifh  in  its  Power  and 
Strength.  For,  there  being  a  Change 
in  the  Stools  and  not  for  the  worfe, 
it  muft  be  a  Change  for  better;  a 
DiminiHiing  of  the  number  of  Symp- 
toms, an  Abatement  of  their  Severi- 
ty, tefs  Gall,  Phlegm,  or  other  Hu- 
mours, or  the  Guts  are  lefs  ftimula- 
ted.  So  that  Stools  with  thefe  Chan- 
ges are  for  the  better,  they  are  pro- 
fitable, and  give  us  Expectations  of 
Succefs. 

Making        LII.  What  he  next  obferves  is 

^utndty1  not  only  true>  but  dire&s  us  to  the 
of  urine,  fame  Purpofe  and  End.  Firft  a  grea- 
ter Quantity  of  Urine  not  only  de- 
notes a;  greater  Solidity  of  the  Stools, 
but  alfo  may  caufe  it.  For  the  Li- 
quidity of  the  Stools  is  as  the  Quan- 
tity of  Serous  Parts  difcharg'd  at 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

the  Glands  of  the  Guts  :  but  a  due 
Quantity,  or  a  greater  Quantity  of 
Urine  coming  now  to  be  voided,  de- 
notes a  greater  Secretion  of  Serum  at 
the  Kidneys  ;  and  there  being  a  great- 
er Secretion  there,  the  lefs  is  the  Se- 
cretion of  Serum  at  the  Glands  of 
the  Guts.  Confequently  the  Stools 
will  be  lefs  liquid  becaufe  of  this 
fmaller  Secretion,  and  in  this  lefs 
Liquidity  of  Stools,  or  this  their  Con- 
liftence  is  the  Cure  of  a  Diarrhea  : 
therefore  when  there  is  a  greater 
Evacuation  of  Urine  the  Stools  are 
more  confiftent ;  or  by  it  a  Diarrhoea, 
is  cur'd.  This  is  the  natural  Con- 
fequence  of  one  ill  of  a  Diarrhoea, 
making  a  larger  Quantity  of  Urine : 
So  a  greater  Quantity  of  Urine  being 
made  when  we  have  a  Diarrhoea, 
denotes  the  Stools  a  coming  to  a 
better  Confiftence.  By  this  we  are 
taught  how  to  endeavour  to  cure  a 
Diarrhoea ,  (viz.)  by  giving  fuch  Me- 
dicines as  may  provoke  Urine;  Forms 
whereof  fhall  be  fubjoin'd  by  and  by 
among  other  Medicines. 


G  ?  LIII. 


$6        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

ypmiting.  §,  LIII.  The  Advice  of  Celfm% 
that  a  Diarrhea,  requires  always  a 
fpeedy  Cure  ought  never  to  be 
negle&ed,  becaufe  hardly  afterwards 
to  be  retrieved.  He  therefore  in  his 
Method  of  Cure  advifes  us,  firft  of 
all,  to  take  a  Vomit ;  and  we  find 
this.  Hippocrates  had  already  advis'd 
us  to  do.  Nay  \  (a)  he  fays,  when 
you  undertake  the  Cure  of  any  one 
who  has  a  Purging  and  Vomiting, 
by  no  means  ftop  the  Vomiting  ;  fee- 
ing the  Vomiting  ftays  the  Purging  : 
But  the  Vomiting  will  afterwards 
be  more  eafily  quieted.  Yet,  if  the 
fick  Perfon  is  very  weak,  give  a  Me- 
dicine that  may  caufe  Sleep  after  the 
Vomiting.  Hippocrates  always  followed 
this  Bent  of  Nature,  and  procurM  it 
with  Hellebore.  Gden,  on  this  Place, 
calls  this  a  Revulfion,  and  thinks  it 
valuable  upon  that  account  only. 
This  fort  of  Philofophy  is  made  ufe 
of  to  this  Day,  tho'  not  very  proper- 
ly. Now  by  Vomiting  whatever  is 
contained  in  the  Stomach  is  thrown 
>ip :  But  in  it  are  contained  early 

Fruits 


COLibo  deloc.  in  hopi.  p.  416. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  87 

Fruits,  indigefted  Foods,  and  other 
things  that  ftimulate  it;  and  there- 
fore by  Vomiting  the  Stomach  and 
Inteftines  are  quieted  :  but  a  Diarrhea. 
is  cur'd  by  fuch  things  as  quiet  the 
Bowels,  and  therefore  by  a  Vomit  a 
Diarrhoea,  may  be  cur'd,  as  Hippocrates 
and  Celfus  obferv'd.  What  is  thus 
faid  of  Vomiting  may  be  likewife 
underftood  of  Purging,  whether  that 
be  by  Medicines  taken  in  at  the 
Mouth,  or  by  Clyfters.  However, 
the  Adminiftration  of  thefe  Medicines 
muft  be  always  proportionate  to  the 
Degree  of  Purging  and  Vomiting,  as 
I  formerly  fhew'd. 

§.  LIV.  The  next  Step  in  the  Me-  unftion 
thod  of  Celfus  about  anointing,  may 
be  underftood  by  what  fhall  be  faid 
of  Bathing.  Come  we  now  to  con- 
fider  this  laft  Part  of  his  Advice  about 
riding  in  a  Coach,  or  a  Horfeback 
rather. 

§.  LV.  He  forbids  Walking,  and  Exercifc 
tlien  he  adds  the  reft  ;  and  that  be- 
caufe   there  is  not  any  thing  that 
more  ftrengthens  the  Inteftines.  For 
G  4  by 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.' 

by  Exercife  in  general,  the  Blood 
receives  an  Addition  and  Strength 
to  its  Motion,  efpecially  in  the  Parts 
that  are  more  particularly  affe&ed. 
Now  this  increafe  of  Motion  in  the 
Blood  renders  it  more  liquid  and  fit- 
ter for  Secretions,  But  the  Blood 
performing  its  Secretions  duely  in 
their  proper  Places,  will  occafion  that 
at  the  Glands  of  the  Inteftins  to  be- 
come more  natural ;  and  by  more  na- 
tural Secretions  at  thefe  Glands,  the 
Stools  will  become  more  confiftent,  a 
natural  Quantity  of  liquid  Parts  now 
mixing  with  them :  and  therefore  by 
Exercife  the  Stools  will  be  rendred 
more  confiftent ;  or  a  Diarrhea  will  be 
cur'd.  Moreover,  by  this  greater  Flu- 
idity of  Blood,  Perfpiration  is  reftor'd  : 
and  on  that  account  not  only  ma- 
ny Serous  Parts  are  again  difcharg'd 
at  the  Glands  of  the  Skin ,  but  thefe 
Particles  which  when  retain'd  not  on- 
ly increased  the  Fluidity  of  the  Ex- 
crements but  Simulated  the  Guts,  be- 
ing otherwife  difcharg'd  by  Tran- 
fpiration,  the  Guts  will  become  lefs 
Simulated,  and  the  Stools  are  confi- 
ftent.   Wherefore  Exercife  producing 

all 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

all  thefe  good  Effe&s  cures  a  Diar- 
rhea.   What  Celfe  obferves  of  Exer- 
cife  ftrengthning  the  Bowels  more 
than  other  Means,  is  certainly  true : 
efpecially  in  the  Conditions  of  the 
Noble  Roman.    For,  the  Blood  be- 
coming more  fluid  by  Exercife,  it  is 
able  to  flow  in  more  capillary  Vef- 
fels.  Now  both  by  its  Fluidity  and 
Running  in  more   of  the  mufcular 
Fibres,  the  Force  of  thefe  Mufcles  is 
increased,  and  by  them  our  Strength. 
Nay,  it  is  not  to  be  queftion'd  but 
that  each   Fibre   is  furnifh'd  with 
Blood  Ve(Tels  and  other  Canals  that 
receive  Liquors  from  the  Blood,  and 
they  being  fuller    are  tighter  and 
more  diftended ;  which  is  all  that 
Firmnefs  of  Fibres  fo  much  talk'd  of 
by  Authors,  and  by  an.  untoward 
Analogy  call'd  the  Cr  iff  at  ion  of  fi- 
bres  by   Baglivi.     However ,  when 
Exercife  renders    our    Blood  more 
fluid,  it  alfo  makes  us  ftronger,  and 
our  Fibres  are  more  tenfe  and  cur'd 
of  their  Relaxation,  and  the  Bowels 
are  ftrengthen'd,  as  is  obferv'd  by 
Celfus.   Now  tho'  Gymnaftical  Phy- 
fick  has  been  run  up  to  an  Extreme 

by 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

by  fome  Authors  in  After-ages,  'tis 
certain  they  have  not  follow'd  the 
right  Rule  of  C^lfus :  For  here,  fays 
he,  we  have  no  need  of  Walking, 
which  they  have  confounded  with 
thofe  he  approved.  This  Error  fhall 
be  forthwith  fliewn  when  I  explain 
this  Exception  of  our  Roman :  at  pre- 
fent  it  is  obfervable  how  Doftor  6j- 
denham  harangues  in  the  Praifes  of 
Exercife,  when  he  would  gladly  ac- 
count for  its  Ufe.  (a)  What  great 
Perverfion  in  our  Offices,  or  what 
other  natural  Defeft  of  the  Organs 
can  be  imagined,  which  fo  many 
thoufand  Shakings  repeated  under  the 
open  Air  in  one  Day,  may  not  re- 
trieve !  Whofe  innate  Heat  can  be  fo 
cool,  that  may  not  be  raisM  by  this 
Motion,  and  again  begin  to  glow,  &c. 
So  that  the  great  Advantage  of  Exer- 
cife, which  in  another  Place  (£)  he  calls 
the  Cure  of  Confumptions,  he  ap- 
plauds as  a  fine  thing,  but  is  not  able 
to  tell  us  where  the  Finenefs  of  it 
confifts.  Other  Authors,  after  him, 
value  it  indeed  fo  highly   that  it 

feems 

,  ,  ,  , — J*  

(a)  Pag  158.oper.ann.  1685.  edit.Lond,  (b)  Pag. 
225.Rpiftoi. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  91 

feems  to  be  that  good  thing  only, 
of  which  we  cannot  take  too  much : 
But  their  Error  is  manifeft  in  going 
beyond  the  Counfel  of  Celfa. 

§.  LVI.  For  Riding  on  Horfe-  Walking 
back,  or  in  a  Coach  procures  us  this  f^^9 
Fluidity  of  Blood  and  a  greater  Num-  ding, 
ber  of  Spirits :  but  even  thefe  Exer- 
cifes  may  be  fo  long  continued  that 
they  deftroy  our  Spirits,  and  there- 
fore a  Dofe  of  Riding  is^as  fit  to  be 
determined,  as  the  Dofe  of  another 
Remedy.  But  let  that  be  how  it 
will,  when  the  Comparifon  lies  be- 
tween walking  and  thefe  other  Exerci- 
fes  it  will  appear  that  not  fo  ma- 
ny Mufcles  are  exercis'd  in  Walking 
as  in  Riding ;  fo  that  Riding  is  pre- 
ferable to  it  on  that  Account.  Befides, 
Riding  is  the  AQiioa  of  fomething 
elfe  than  our  felves ;  but  Walking  is 
performed  by  our  Mufcles,  and  thefe 
are  contrafted  with  an  Expence  of 
our  Spirits.  So  that  whatever  Flu- 
dity  in  time  of  this  Exercife  may  be 
in  the  Blood ;  yet  it  is  great  Odds 
but  that  it  grows  thicker  after  this 
Exercife  than  before.  Wherefore  Wal- 
king 


2         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 


king  is  more  like  to  prove  hurtful 
to  an  infirm  Perfon  than  any  ways 
ufeful.  So  that  the  whole  Obferva- 
tion  of  Celfus  is  true,  whether  that 
be  in  regard  to  Exercife  for  curing  a 
Diarrhea,  or  to  his  Exception  againft 
Walking. 

iticn.  §.  LVII.  Having  frequent  Commerce 
with  Women  is  plainly  hurtful  to  one 
ill  of  a  D/arrbcea:  tho'  this  Counfel 
has  been  conftantly  delivered  from 
ancient  times.  There  is  not  any  Dif- 
ficulty in  this  Aflertion  if  we  remem- 
ber what  has  been  faid  of  its  Cau- 
fes,  and  the  Conditions  for  its  Cure. 
For  nothing  hinders  Tranfpiration 
more  than  uling  Women  very  much : 
It  leffens  a  fourth  of  our  daily  Per- 
fpiration;  and  Sanctorius  adds  (a)  that 
the  Mifchief  which  follows  upon  too 
frequent  Coition  proceeds  immediate- 
ly from  the  Hurt  of  the  digefting 
Faculty,  the1  it  alfo  arifes  from 
an  impeded  Tranfpiration.  Nqw 
this  Interruption  in  Tranfpiration, 
and  Defect  in  Concoftion  are  two 

principal 


0  Aphor.  3.  Seel.  f. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea  93 

principal  Caufes  of  a  Diarrhcca:  And 
therefore  there  is  nothing  more  hurt- 
ful to  one  ill  of  a  Diarrhoea  than  Co- 
ition. But  as  this  is  more  particu- 
larly the  Advice  of  Hippocrates  in  cafe 
of  a  Dyfentery,  it  fhall  be  confider'd 
again  in  its  proper  Place. 

§.  LV1II.  There  are  not  any  forts  Aftrin- 
of  Medicines  to  which  Phyficians  have  |?|^c" 
fo  generally  had  recourfe  as  to  thofe  icines' 
that  are  Binding  or  Aftringent.  Their 
common  Efte£t  is  to  ftreighten  the 
excretory  Dufts  of  the  Guts,  upon 
which  account  a  fmall  Quantity  of 
Serum  is  difcharg'd  into  them.  Now 
"a  fmaller  Quantity  of  Serum  than  na- 
tural being  difcharg'd  into  the  Guts, 
the  Excrements  are  thicker  and  more 
confident ;  or  there  is  a  lefs  Difpofi- 
tion  to  a  Diarrhoea.  Moreover,  bind- 
ding  Medicines  thicken  the  Juices  of 
our  Bodies,  and  they  being  thicker 
are  not  fo  fit  for  Secretions :  and  in 
confequence  of  this  their  Unaptnefs 
to  Secretion  very  few  of  them  are 
convey'd  into  the  Guts,  and  the  Stools 
become  of  a  greater  Confiftence  than 
before  j  or  there  is  a  lefs  Difpofition 

to 


94-         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

to  a  Diarrhoea^  fince  this  is  one  thing 
chiefly  neceffary  for  curing  it.  But 
fafein  the  as         Medicines  are  very  effefliual 
tegiiming  m  their  Operation :  yet  if  the  Velo- 
city  of  the  Blood  does  not  increafe  in 
Proportion  to  the  Increafe  of  its  Quan- 
tity, and  Secretions  are  duely  reftor'd, 
then  thefe   binding  Medicines  will  i 
have  all  the  ill  Effe£te  already  men-;i 
tion'd  ;  more  or  lefs  according  to  thej 
noted  Circumftances.    And  therefore/; 
fince  it  is  not  every  Phyfician  that  is! 
able  to  judge  of  thefe  nice  times,  it 
will  not  be  fafe  to  give  them  in  the 
beginning,  as  Wddfcbmidt  obferyes*  11 

Sweating.  §.  LIX.  As  Sweating  is  a  great  Eva-j 
cuation  by  the  Pores  of  the  Skin,  fol 
fmaller  Quantities  than  ordinary  of 
other  Liquors  are  fecreted  in  otheri 
Parts  during  this  plentiful  Evacuation  1 
by  Sweat:  and  a  fmall  Quantity  of 
thefe  liquors  being  voided  into  the  J 
Guts,  the  Stools  are  not  fo  liquid  as[j 
in  a  Diarrhcea,  but  are  excluded  witlij 
more  Difficulty.  And  therefore  by| 
Sweating  the  Stools  become  confi-j 
ftent,  and  a  DUrrhcca,  is  cur'd,  asjj 
Baglivw  informs  us.    This  his  Obfer 

vatio 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  p£ 


vation  will  be  pretty  conftant,  in 
time  of  Sweating :  but  as  the  Confe- 
quences  are  various  after  that  Ope- 
ration, and  depend  very  much  on  the 


this  Adminiftration  is  of  a  doubtful 
Event,  and  can  only  be  determined 
by  what  is  faid  in  the  Solution  of 
my  Problem,  about  purging  and  vo- 
miting Medicines. 

LX.  Leon.  Bot alius  has  found  Bleed-  Bleeding, 
ing  of  fome  ufe  for  curing  Loofnef- 
fes:  But  as  the  Particulars  alledg'd 
relate  to  Dyfenteries,  and  the  Quan- 
tities of  Blood  were  very  fmall,  the 
Confideration  of  this  Operation  may 
be  fafely  omitted  till  fuch  time  as  it 
offers  again  in  the  Chapter  of  a  Dy~ 
featery.  At  prefent  we  may  obferve> 
that  Bleeding  in  fome  Circumftances 
augments  the  Velocity  of  the  Blood, 
and  renders  Secretions  natural :  it  will 
therefore  follow  that  Bleeding  may 
be  ufeful  to  cure  a  DiArrhwt,  when 
this  is  its  Effeft.  Yet  as  the  niceft 
Skill  of  a  Phyfician  is  wanting  to  do 
this  properly,  nay,  that  it  may  not 
bring  the  fick  Perfons  Life  into  im- 


State  of  the  Blood 


mediate 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

mediate  Danger,  it  will  be  far  more 
fafe  not  to  venture  upon  Bleeding 
at  all,  than  to  do  it  with  fo  great 
Hazard,  howfoever  BotaUus,  and  Zj- 
cutus  Lufitmus  may  recommend  it. 

§.  LXI.  Phyficians  place  their  laft 
Refuge  in  Opium  for  the  curing  all 
extraordinary  Evacuations  by  the 
Guts ;  and  indeed  it  may  cure  a  D/- 
arrhcea  by  its  quieting  Power,  and  by 
promoting  Tranfpiration.  By  the  firft, 
the  Fibres  of  the  Guts  are  not  fo 
much  afFe£ted  by  the  ftimulating 
Parts,  and  the  Periftaltick  Motion  of 
the  Guts  is  lefs  upon  which  account 
the  Excrements  are  not  violently  pro- 
truded, and  there  are  not  fo  frequent 
Motions  to  Stool ;  or  a  Diarrhoea  is  in 
fome  meafure  lefs.  But  this  Effect 
of  Opium  will  be  greater  if  its  Power 
of  encreafing  Tranfpiration  fucceeds  at 
the  fame  time ;  for  by  it  a  fmall  quan- 
tity of  fecreted  Liquor  is  difcharg'd 
into  the  Guts  ;  and  therefore  the 
Periftaltick  Motion  being  lefs,  as  alfo 
the  Secretions  by  Opium,  the  Defire  of 
going  to  Stool  is  lefs,  and  a  Dtarrhaa 
lb  far  cur'd* 

LXIL 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  97 


§.  LXII.  Our  being  in  a  Bath  al-  Bathing, 
fyays  promotes  Perfpiration,  c ceteris 
paribus,  in  a  greater  or  lefs  Quanti- 
ty according  to  the  Difpofition  of  the 
Parts  of  the  Blood  to  be  tranfpir'd. 
Now  by  augmenting  Tranfpiration 
we  le&n  the  Liquidity  of  Excre- 
ments, and  make  them  confiftent  \ 
but  to  make  them  more  confiftent 
is  to  cure  a  Diarrhea.  Wherefore 
Bathing  may  cure  a  Diarrhea. '  More- 
over, it  is  manifeft  that  the  Matter 
of  a  Bath  paffes  into  our  Blood  by 
the  Pares :  Now  a  Bath  may  be  con- 
trived, fitted,  and  medicated  in  eve- 
ry refpeft  againft  the  Caufes  of  a 
Dtirrheta.  Wherefore  by  Bathing  a 
Diarrhea  may  be  cur'd.  Sanclorius 
is  very  exprefs  as  to  the  firft  of  thefe, 
and  fays  that  (a)  Warm  Air  and  Baths 
actually  warm,  help  Perfpiration,  cool  the 
inward  Parts,  and  make  our  Bodies 
lighter^  excepting  in  Cafes  of  Crudity* 

§.  LXIII.  From  this  Account  of 
the  Operation  of  the  Medicines  em- 
ploy'd  in  the  Cure  of  a  Diarrhoea,  it 

H  is 


(a)  Aph.  2  Sea,  7, 


Of  a  Diarrhopa. 

is  an  eafy  matter  to  determine  whiclr 
of  thefe  Methods  is  belt  in  a.  general 
Practice,  as  alfo  to  find  when  any  of 
them  becomes  moft  proper  in  that 
Difeafe  in  any  Perfon  of  a  certain 
Conftjtution ;  or  as  that  Difeafe  may 
be  complicated  with  any  other.  Nayr 
by  this  it  is  evident  that  we  may 
fafely  begin  the  Cure  of  a  Diarrhaa 
in  any  time  of  this  Diftemper ;  fince 
it  is  the  Impropriety  of  the  Medicine, 
and  the  unskiltulnefs  of  the  Practi- 
tioner that  oecafions  its  being  too 
foon  ftopp'd.  So  that  as  there  is  not 
any  time  when  we  may  not  do  mif- 
chiefr  neither  is  there  any  time  where- 
in  we  may  not  begin  to  cure.  Now* 
before  I  write  a:  number  of  proper 
Medicines  to  anfwer  eacji  of  thefe 
Views,  I  fhall  take  the  Liberty  to 
advife  fome  Phyficians  to  more  Mo- 
deity ;  at  leaft  fp  far  as  not  to  betray 
their  own  Ignorance,  in  their  free 
declaiming  againft  Theory,  the  on- 
ly thing  that  can  make  a  Phyfician 
praftife,  not  only  skilfully  and  fliccef- 
fully,  but  alfo  readily.  The  putting 
Cafes  of  People  ill  of  a  Diarrhcez 
under  all  imaginable  Conditions  is 

ridicuPd; 


Of  a  Diarrhoea, 

HdicuPd  as  a  needlefs  Speculation, 
and  that  fuch  Cafes  may  never  hap- 
pen :  But  fuppofe  they  do,  then  it  is 
too  late  to  go  to  ftudy  for  that  Per- 
fon,  and  when  he  is  dead  it  becomes 
a  Cafe  of  Speculation;  This  Liber- 
tine Ignorance  not  only  is  fet  up  in 
oppofition  to  the  Cuftoms  of  Eujta- 
chius'RudiuSj  and  other  Learned  Phy- 
ficians  of  f  ancient  and  modern  times* 
but  againft  the  common  Practice  of 
Univerfities  and   Colleges  who  in- 

3'  uire  into  the  Abilities  of  Candi- 
ates  to  the;  Practice  of  Pliyfick  in 
this  very  way.  Neither  is  this  a 
Cuftom  only  among  Phyficians,  but 
among  other  Profeffions,  and  even 
among  Tradefmen.  How  decent  would 
it  look  in  the  Mouth  of  a  Candidate 
for  Degrees  in  Phyfick  to  fay  that 
all  fuchQueftions  are  frivoious,and  that 
he  can  praftife  better  than  any  Man 
that  can  beft  tell  the  manner  how  it 
is  to  be  gone  about,  and  what  Suc- 
|cefs  is  to  be  expe&ed  from  Art.  Yet 
jto  this  Aifurance  many  arrive  at  this 
Day.  It  was  the  great  Chara&er  of 
H  2  Livj 


ioq         Oj^^a  Diarrhoea. 

L-\BRQJfiY,ivy  tdS  Philopvmen  that  he  had 
Ftun^J%ito  Spill  in  leading  an  Army, 
<OpL  0F-^V^\j^^S  Poft  :  Neither  did  he 
^^^^^  himfelf  in  this  in  times  of 
War  only^  but  likewife  in  Peace. 
When  lie  travelled  any  where,  and 
came  to  a  difficult  pafs ,  having 
firft  confider'd  well  the  Nature -of 
the  Place,  he  bethought  himfelf  when 
alone:  but  when  he  had  Company, 
he  ask'd  them  what  was  to  be  done 
in  every  Circumftance  they  could 
poflibly  come  under,  as  he  particu- 
larly relates  in  that  Place.  Was  not 
this  Speculating  with  a  Witnefs? 
Why  needed  he  be  fo  circumfpeQ:  ? 

The 


{a}  Si  Hoftis  eo  loco  apparuiflet,  quid  fi  a  fronte, 
quid  fi  a  latere  hoc,  aut  illo,  quid  fi  a  tergo  ado- 
rrretar,  capiendum  coniilij  foret?  Pofle  inftru&os 
refta  acie,  poffe  inconditum  agraen,  &  tantummodo 
ajptum  viae,  occurrere,  Quern  locum  rpfe  caprurus- 
effet,  cogitando  aut  quaerendo  exfequebatur ;  aut 
quot  armatis,  au£  quo  genere  armorum  (plurimum 
enim  intereffej  ufurus,  quo  impedimenta,  quo  farci- 
oas,  quo  turbam  inermem  rejiceret;  quanto  ea, 
aut  quali  prseiidio  cuftodiret :  Etutrum  pergereqna 
cxpiitet  ire  via,  an  ea  qua  veniffet  repetere  me- 
lius effet,  Cafhis  quoque  quern  locum  caperet, 
quantum  munimento  ample&eretur  loci,  qua  oppor- 
tuna  aquatio,  qua  pabuli  lignorumque  copia  eftet : 
qua  poftero  die  caftra  moventi  rutum  maxirae  iter  \ 
qua  forma  agmicis  foret.  JJb,  3S* 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  ior 

The  half  of  thefe  Difficulties  not  be- 
ing likely  to  happen  to  any  one.  But 
Livy  reports,  of  how  great  ufe  and 
confeauence  this  his  thinking  was:  For 
he  had  fo  poffefs'd  his  mind,  from  his 
very  Youth,  with  thefe  Thoughts  and 
Cares,  that  there  was  not  any  thing 
new  and  furprizing  could  fall  out.  On 
the  other  hand  as  ther  are  many  things 
We  meet  with  daily  that  are  new  and 
fufprizing  fo  it  is  undoubtedly  true, 
tjiat  we  feem  to  be  lktle  acquainted 
with  our  felves,  and  lefs  with  our  Bufi- 
nefs.  Let  therefore  the  Character  of 
Wifdom  from  the  great  HiAorian,  the 
fuccefsful  Pra&ice  of  the  confummate 
General,1  move  us  on  in  ufeful  Que- 
ftions  in  our  own  way  to  the  utter 
Ruine  of  this  fhamelefs  Barbarity. 

§.  LXI  V.  As  for  the  Medicines  The  Me- 
that  are  put  in  Practice  according  dicines. 
to  the  foregoing  general  Maxims,  they 
are  of  great  variety  and  many  in 
number.  It  will  be  fufficient  to  col- 
let! a  '  Store  of  them,  in  order  to  have 
them  at  hand  and  that  every  Man 
may  chufe  what  he  thinks  may  ferve 
the  prefent  Occafion  beft. 

H  j  §.LXV. 


1 02         Of  a  Diarrhoea, 

vomits.  .  LXV.  It  has,  already  beqfl  ob- 
ferv'd  that  Vomiting:  coming  upon 
one  ill  of  a  Diarrhea  cures  the  Dif- 
feafe,  and  that  Hippocrates  did  jiot 
fcruple  to  give  their  rough,  but  only 
vomit,  which  was.  ft  to  attain 
that  end.  In  fucceeding  Ages,  when 
there ,  came  to  be  a  greater  Choice 
of  Medicines,  more  mild  V  omits  were 
employed  to  that  very  purpofe.  An- 
gelus  Sala  prefCribes  this :  Ypmit, 

gQ  Salis  Vmiol.  :3j.  Syrupi  Cydpnio- 
rum,  aqu&  Betonwa^]*  QiMmomi  prtis 
5x.  Mifceantur*  , , 

)  w"''. j  10      >:JJI?n  liJiclSjOUl 

.  And  Riverius:(a)  tells  us<of  &:young 
Man,  being  ill ,  of,  a  Dyfejitery,  was 
fent  into  an  "H^fpital  for:  his  £ure, 
and  took  Sal.  Vitriol.  3j.  diiTolv'd  in 
fair  ' Water,  with  which  he  vomited 
a  great  Quantity  of  bilous  Stuff,  and 
recovered  hi$  Health, 

i  I   ■        fog  V'O;-:.    •  ■  rm  io  .  . 

In,  latter. :.tiqnes:  to  augment-;,  the 
Variety,  Ipecaeuam^  was  ,  brought  in 
ufe.. .  by   Helvetius'  in  |  France  y  tho' 

m  akiib  3ft     I  v  &tmb  /its* 

•  C^'-Gent.  Obf.  tejua  Obf4  gj 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  i 

Its  Ufe  was  formerly  known  and  de« 
fcrib'd  by  Pifo.  It  is,  indeed,  nothing  fo 
violent  as  Hellebor  and  other  Vomits, 
neither  is  it  fo  naufedus  as  the  Salt 
of  Vitriol  :  and  therefore  better  fitted 
for  general  Ufe  than  any  other.  Some 
People  think  this  a  fpecifick  Medicine 
for  Loofhelfes  of  all  forts,  as  the  Bark  is 
for  Agues;  lb  they  give  it  in  fmaller 
Quantities  often  in  one  Day,  and  fome 
in  greater,  much  to  the  Difturbance 
of  their  Patients;  but  certainly  it  has 
its  EffeQ:  like  another  Vomit :  This, 
"at  leaft,  is  its  chief  and  great  Ope- 
ration by  which  it  has  its  Succefs. 
This  will  be  more  evident  if  we  at- 
tend to  what  the  Learned  Monfieur 
Taur mfort  fays,  (a)  in  his  Materia  Medi- 
na, upon  that  Root :  For  after  he  has 
recommended  it  for  its  fpeedy  good 
Effe£t,  he  prefcribes  it  thus. 

5?.  Pulveris  Radnum  Ipecacuanj*  3fl. 
Pane  involvatur  tit  deglutirl  foffity  po- 
Jiea  haurtendo  Aqua  communis  tepidcc 
*uei  Juris  Carnium  Cjathum. 

H  4  Then 


(t)  Pag.  190.  London. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Then  he  has  this  Obfervation,  that 
they  who  vomit  up  a  copious  Quantity 
of  Morbifick  Matter  are  moft  quickly 
and  certainly  relieved  and  cur'd ;  as  he 
had  often  experienced  in  Spaing  and  at 
Narbon  and  Paris  in  France.    He  like- 
wife  tells  us,  that  by  an  Order  from 
the  firft  Minilter  he  was  fent  into 
Spam  to  purch^fe  a  Quantity  of  this 
Medicine  for  the  Kings   Ufe,  and 
that   he  had  diftributed   an  hun7 
dred  weight  of  it  among  the  Hofpi- 
tals,  for  the  Relief  of  the  Soldiers. 
But  there  it  had  not  that  good  Ef- 
fect, nor  in  Camps,  as  in  private  Hou- 
fes.    The  Reafon  he  gives  is  that 
the  Soldiers  are  much  weaken'4  by 
this  Diftemper,    and   their  Bowels 
much  hurt,  that  they  cannot  endure 
vomiting.    Befides,  th^y  commonly 
draw  in  an  unwholfome  and  noifome 
Air,  fuch  as  the  Air  of  Camps  is. 
By  all  which  it  is  manifeft  that  this 
Root  has  its  Effeft  as  a  Vomit:  for 
they  are  beft  cur'd  that  bring  up  a 
great  Abundance  of nafty  Bilous  Stuff; 
and  fuch  as  do  not,  are  feldom  cur'd. 
His  Reafon  for  its  want  of  Succefs  is 
by  qo  means  fight :  That  is  eafily 

.junderftood 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

underflood  from  what  has  been  (hewn 
about  the  Nature  of  the  Difeafe. 
His  Account  of  his  Mafter  Petri's  Syl^ 
v anus ,  which  he  adjoins,  at  once  con- 
firms what  I  fay  of  the  Ipecacuava, 
and  deftroys  his  Argument  for  its 
Unfucceffulnefs  in  Camps  \  nay,  and 
that  it  does  not  operate  as  a  fpeci- 
fick  Medicine :  For  this  Gentleman 
was  reduced  to  great  Weaknefe ;  yet 
it  fucceeded.  He  took  of  it  in  the 
Morning,  but  it  did  nothing  all  the 
J)ay  in  Spite  of  their  Endeavours  to 
make  him  vomit,  nor  did  cure  him 
in  the  mean  time.  At  laft  he  void- 
ed, by  Stool,  fix  Pints  of  thin,  ferous 
and  bloody  Excrements  ;  upon  which 
he  was  prefently  relieved.  In  effect, 
this  its  want  of  Succefs  in  Camps, 
tho'  it  had  prov'd  beneficial  in  Towns, 
was  the  Caufe  that  the  King  ordered 
the  Apothecaries  to  purchafe  this  Ma- 
gazine, he  had  collefted  at  fo.  great  a 
Charge,  but  on  a  moil  charitable  Ac- 
count. It  mult  not  be  wonder'd  that 
fo  great  a  Prince  as  Lewis  the  XIV. 
fhould  thus  oblige  the  Apothecaries 
to  purchafe  his  Ipecacuana  :  Becaufe  he 
bought  it  at  an  immenfe  Price.  A  Lewis 

d'Or 


I  o6         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

dyOr  was  then  the  common  rate;  and 
they  could  difpofe  of  it,  without  Lofs, 
in  the  Country. 

£iv^a*  •  §.  LXVI.  What  is  already  faid 
concerning  Vomits,  together  with 
what  has  been  obferv'd  in  another 
Place,  teach  us  fufficiently  the  Dofes 
in  fuch  Circumftances.  The  purging 
Medicines  that  are  now  to  follow 
will  be  better  'regulated  than  among 
Authors,  by  the  Rules  in  the 
fame  Place*  This  being  noted,  I  pro- 
ceed to  recite  the  Purging  Medi- 
cines, Phyficians  have  thought  proper 
on  this  Occafion. 

The  Purgatives  to  be  found  among 
them,  are  Pale  Rofes,  Mirabolans, 
and  Tamarinds  :  tho'  For  eft  us  que- 
ftions  tile  Safenefs  of  thelaft.  Rhu- 
barb has  a  more  general  Efteem  ; 
the  only  Difficulty  is  about  giving  it 
raw  or  toafted,  and  this  little  Gon- 
troverfy  is  maitain'd  with  great  Au- 
thority on  both  fides.  But  I  believe 
aPhyficianmay  give  it  the  firfi:  Way, 
with  the  greateft  Certainty  as  to  its 
Operation.  Mechoacanna  is  alfo  much 
commended,  and  Agarick.   Out  of 

thefe 


Of  a. Diarrhoea 

thefe  and  fuch  like  Medicines  Various 
Forms  are  combined.  It  may  be  pro- 
per to  fubjointwo  or  three  of  them, 
and  then  to  proceed. 

Tamarindor.  5jft-  MiroboUn.  ci- 
trin.  3ij.  Decoquantur  in  Aq.  Hordei 
Plant  agin,  a  f.  q.  ad  Jviij.  Liquor  fer- 
vidus  verfetur fuper  Rad.  Rhabarb.  Elect. 
3j.  Stent  claufa  fer  noctem  et  mane  f. 
Colatura^  cui  adde  Syrupi  Rofar*  Solut* 
%).  Mifce  &  f.  Potto. 

,  Pulver.  Radio.  Rhab.  /elect..  3  ft. 
Pulp*  tamarind,  q.  f.  ut  f.  Bol.  it  idem 
mam  deglutiendus.  > 

Joel  recommends  this  Bolus.-  .-ft. 
Pulp^Caffi^  recenteY :  evulfe   3x.  '  qu* 
Saccbaro  confperjk  in  aurora  de-voretur. 
~yj  mori.i  2iruiti  vsita  •  \%hvifr\ 

After,  the  fame* -■manner  and ■?  for 
the  fame  purpofe  t!iey  commend 
Purging  Clyfters,  and  fuch'  as  but 
moderately  purge.  Of  thefe  are  the 
following  Forms. 

-oiH  I  qofi  B     q     ';. •:  :T  70r: 

Sr.  Aq.  Hordei  ftv  01.  Rofar. 
Sacchari  crudi  quod  rubeum  vacant  5j« 


Of  a  Diarrhoea? 

VitelL  Ovor.  N°.  ij.  Commifceantury  f. 
Enema,  quod  tefidum  recto  Intejlwo  in- 
fundatur.    Or  this, 

$ .  Decocli  Baccar.  Juniper,  diligenter 
fatfi Elecluar.e  Bjc.  Lauri  5  ft. 
de  Succo  Rofar.  3ij.  /*  Enema  fimiliter 
injiciendum. 

Now  thefe  purging  Medicines, 
whether  in  Clyfters,  Powders,  or 
Potions,  were  always  diverfify'd  ac- 
cording to  the  Humour  they  be- 
lie v'd  was  the  Caufe  of  the  Diarrhoea, 
(viz.)  Phlegm,  Melancholy,  &c.  as 
has  been  formerly  obferv'd.  So  any. 
one  who  is  the  leaft  acquainted  with 
this  Dodrine  of  the  Ancients,  and  the 
Medicines  they  employed  on  fuch  Oc- 
cafions,  cannot  be-  in  any  want  of 
fuch  Forms;  if  they  think  them  ve- 
ry material.  For  my  part,  E  think 
the  mention'd  Forms  will  fuificiently 
anfwer  all  their  Purpofes :  I  {hall 
therefore  confider  Medicines  of  an- 
other kind,  us'd  by  Phyficians  when 
they  would  put  a  (lop  to  the  Pro- 
grefs  of  a  Diarrhoea. 


§.  LXYII. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.        1 09 

§.  LXVII.  The  fimple  Medicines  of  R^n- 
this  fort  are  Red-rofes,  Quinces,  Plan-  afcines. e" 
tain,  Pomgranates,  Currants,  Berber- 
ries, Myrtles,  Mint,  Female  Fern, 
Carduus  MarU,  Hare-foot,  Sumach, 
Lentils,  Haws,  Juice  of  Acacia  (with 
us,  of  Sloes)  the  inward  Rind  of  Oaks, 
Cornel  Berries,  Sorbee-Tree  Bark, 
Golden  Rod,  Shepherds-Pouch,  Bi- 
ftort,  Tormentil,  vto/eww^'s-Seal,  Red 
Coral,  Lez^fl j-Earth,  Bole-Armenick, 
and  Burnt  Harts-horn.  Out  of  thefe 
Plants,  Flowers,  Roots,  Barks,  Fruits, 
and  Earths,  are  made  Syrups,  Electu- 
aries, Conferves,  and  other  Forms, 
which  is  to  no  great  Purpofe  to 
relate.  Yet  it  may  be  of  great  ufe^ 
to  add  fome  of  the  Compofitions  mod 
efteem'd  and  pra&is'd  by  Phyficians. 

J/V/?,  Nxvius  commends  this  Plai- 
fter  to  be  laid  upon  the  Belly.  J>. 
Oriz.  torrefaff*  5 jfL»  Maflich.  Thuris  a 
3ij.  Glandium  'in).  My  nil.  3  ft.  Refin. 
Vin.  Cer.  Flav.  a  q.  f.  ut  f.  Ceratum. 

Joel  has  this  Ele&uary,  Canferv. 
Rqjfar.  rubrar.  Diacytoniun  ex  Succo  fine 
fpeciebns  a  §j,  Trvchtfcorum  e  Spodio  e 

Terra 


no         Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Terra,  figillatx  a  3) ft.  Sjrufi  e  MyrtiU 
lis  q.  f  f.  Elect ticirium. 

J.  Heurnius  efteemM  this  among 
his  fecret  Medicines.  Nucem  unam 
Mofcbatam  pulverifat.  &  tantundem  Bo- 
li.  Mifce  cum  Vitello  Oviy  &  in  Pa- 
tella coque  jine  Butyro  tn  Rotulas  novem. 
Utatur  frimo  die  Semirotulam,  poftridie 
integrant,  tertio  die  Sefquirotulam.  How- 
ever, this  Medicine  may  be  us'd  in 
greater  Quantities  and  with  lefs  Cau- 
tion, without  any  Danger. 

Ludovkm  Mercatu*  fays  this  Mix- 
ture is  of  great  Efficacy  if  drank  fa- 
iling and  warm  in  a  Morning. 
Sacchar.  Rofar.  folvatur  in  Succo  Cydo- 
nior.  &  Aq.  Plantagin.  Coletur,  &  fer~ 
vifiat,  exinde  hauriat. 

Joban.  Pofftus  commends  highly  this 
infpilfated  Juice  of  unripe  Sloes. 

Petrus  Forejius  affures  us  that  one 
was  cur'd  of  a  Diarrbcca  by  eating  a 
Powder  of  Acorns,  after  he  had  been 
ill  three  Years. 

Simon  Pauli  fays  that  many  of  his 
Fellow-Soldiers,  in  Germany,  were  cit- 

red 


Of  a  Diarrhoea 


in 


red  of  LoofnefTes  by  taking  3  ft.  of 
the  Seed  of  Thlapfi,  or  narrow  Leav'd 
wild  Crefs>  after  every  Motion. 

Fr.  Sylvius  prefcribes  this  Mixture. 
Dzafcord.  tracajlor.  3jft.  Confeft* 
Hyacinth  or.  3j.  Syr.  My  r  tin*  5j.  Aq. 
Cinamom.  bordeat.  Plant  agin.  £  5  i  j-  M. 
and,  by  the  Quantity,  it  feems  de- 
fign'd  to  be  taken  at  two  times.  But 
to  whom  an  Ele&uary  may  be  more 
agreeable,  he  recommends  this. 

9?.  Conferv.  Rofar.  rubrar.  ii}.  Di- 
afcorcL  Fracajlor.  3ij..  Conf.  Hyacinthor. 
3).  CCvi.  ujli  $  pulverifati  3ft.  Sy- 
rup. My  r  tin.  ■  q.  /.  M.  f.  Condi  turn. 

Doctor  Willis  has,  under  the  Title 
of  Dyfenteries,  the  following  Medi- 
cines. He  is  a  little  Angular  in  his 
Notion  of  a  Dyfentery,  and  feems  fond 
of  changing  an  ancient  Name :  but 
the  Medicines  fait  our  prefent  Pur- 
pofe. 

fy.iAq*  Mpntb.  Cinamom.  horde  at.  a 
Siij.  Cjnam.  fort.  Ther ideal.  1  Mar- 

garhan 


i 


Of  a  Diarrhoea, 

garitar.prxpar.  3j.  Sacchar.  Chryjlall.  §  &i 
M.  f.  Juldp. 

8>.  Pulver.  e  Chilis  Cancror.  compo- 
fiti,  Radic.  Contrayerv.  Serpentar.  Vir- 
ginian, a  3j*  Cinamom.  Radi,  TormentilL 
a>  3  ft.  Crocij  Coccinell.  I  3j.  M.  f.  Pul- 
visr  cujus  Dofis  a  3  ft.  ad  3ij. 

The  Rofa  Anglica,  which  fome  fup- 
pofe  to  be  written  by  Joh.  de  Gddef- 
aeny  others  de  Arden,  has  fome  very 
particular  Medicines  in  it.  He  com- 
mends efpecialy  the  Boiling  an,  Egg 
in  Brandy,  or  Vinegar,  and  eating 
this  Egg  thus  prepar'd.  This  is  ftill 
a  Country  Medicine  in  many  Parts 
of  England,  and  usM  by  a  great  ma- 
ny People. 

Aetius  fays  that  Mulberries  dry'd 
while  rough  a,nd  unripe,  and  given 
in  Powder  is  an  excellent  Medicine  for 
a  Diarrhoea  ;  As  alfo  for  thofe  that  have 
been  long  ill  of  a  Cceliacal  Affe&ion. 

After  proper  Evacuations,  this  Me- 
thod has  as  good  fuccefs  as  any  in 
common  Ufe.  Confection.  Fraca- 
fior.  3j.  Spec,  ad  Conf.  Hyacinth,  gr. 

xij* 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.^  113 

xij.  Laud.  Londinenf.  Granum.  Syr.  de 
Rof.  ficc.  q.  f.  ut  f.  Bol.  Or  this  Mix- 
ture. 

Aqu<z  Lactis  alexiter.  sviiji  Diaf- 
cord.  5ft.  Bu  Hi  ant)  &  Liquori  Cola  to 
adde.Aq.  Cinamom.  fort.  gij.  Laudan.  1 
liquid.  Sydenbami  Gut.  XX.  Syr.  fl.  Ca~ 
riopbylor.  §j.  f.  Julap.  Sum  at  fubinde 
Cochlear,  iv; 

The  Drink  which  is  commonly  gi- 
ven is  the  Decocium  album,  or  Harts- 
horn Drink;  Milk  and  Water,  or 
Water  off  a  brown  Toaft. 

§.  LXVIH.  Thelaft  Sorts  of  Medi-  °g*e* 
cines  are  from  Opium  and  Diaphore-  ph0re~,?* 
tical  Medicines.    The  firft  as  well  as  ticks, 
Diuretical  Medicines  are  left,  by  Au- 
thors, to  be  taken  from  thefe  Sorts  in 
common  Ufe,  without  pretending  any 
Angular  Choice  for  this  Occafion.  Of 
the  laft  kind  thefe  Forms  are  very 
much  commended, 

J*;  Granor.  Juniper i  M.  j.   Vin.  ru- 
hri  ibfi-.  Bulliant  ad  duarum  Part  tun: 
I  Confomptionem 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

Confumptionem.  Colaturam  capiat  mam  \ 
per  triduum. 

9*.  Rad.  Scorz,oner.  Tor  went  ill.  a  §j. 
Conferv.  Rofar.   rubrar.  3  v.  Coq.  dili- 
gent er  in  f.  q.  aq.  ad  ibij.  Colatura  cla- 
ra  reponatur,  eique  adde  Aq.  Cinamom. 
hordeat.  Hmriat  5vj.  ter  vel  qua- 

ter  in  die. 

Thus  having  given  a  great  Num- 
ber of  the  choiceft  A4edicines  among 
Authors^  as  alfo  the  Pra&ice  I  have 
commonly  found  the  moft  fuccesful; 
it  may,  perhaps,  be  expected  that  I 
fhould.  fay^  fomething  of  that  Medi- 
cine which  is  every  where  known  in 
this  Town,  and  which  I  depend  up- 
on after  all  the  Medicines  hitherto 
fpoke  of  are  bafil'd,  and  have  no  Sue- 
cefs  at  all.    But  as  that  is  a  Secret, 
I  fhall  not  prefume  to  entertain  the 
World  with  what  they  are  fo  great 
Strangers  to  .    'Twill  be  fufficient  to 
fay,  that  it  very  near  anfwers  every 
thing  for  the  Cure  of  any  Loofnefs,, 
and  its  Efficacy  will  further  appear 
in  fome  few  only  that  I  wrill  inftance 
of  the  many  Cafes,  that  have  fallen 

under 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  115 

Under  my  Pra&ice  :  Efpecially  when 
we  confider  what  Medicines  there 
are  whofe  Force  have  fignify'd  no- 
thing againft  this  Difeafe,  even  when 
they  have  been  adminifter'd  by  good 
Hands,  and  fome  of  them  in  the  belt 
Method. 

§.  LXIX.  As  general  Doctrines  The  ca* 
are  made  molt  obvious  and  eafy  to  feSo 
be  underftood  by  being  illuftrated  in 
proper  Inftances,  fo  it  has  been  al- 
ways judg'd  the  moft  difficult  thing 
in  Phyfick  to  apply  what  has  been 
univerfally  explained  to  every  parti- 
cular Perfon.  It  will  therefore  be 
very  neceffary  to  rekte  a  few  proper 
Hiftories  of  fome  People  who  have 
laboured  under  this  Dillemper;  that 
the  Reafon  of  curing  upon  the  Ac- 
count of  the  different  Ways  of  its 
Production,  the  Variety  ot  the  Me- 
thods, and  the  Diverfity  of  Conftitu- 
tions,  may  become  more  confpicuous. 
In  performing  this,  it  will  be  fuffi- 
cient  to  give  a  genuine  Account  of 
the  Pra&ice^  leaving  any  further  Ex-> 
plication  of  it  to  be  made  out  from 
the  foregoing  Inquiry  into  the  Difeafe ; 

I  2  Slich 


1 1 6        Of  a  Diarrhoea.' 

Such  Aitiological  Explanations  being 
only  needful,  when  the  Difeafe  is  j 
fcarce  intelligibly  to  be  accounted  for, 
and  when  there  is  a  favourite  Hy- 
pothefis  to  be  ferv'd. 

Hiftory  I.  A  Noble  Gentleman  was  taken 
ill  of  a  Diarrhcea,  April  1705.  He 
fent  for  me  the  fourth  Day  of  his 
Sicknefs,  and  told  me  'twas  what 
he  commonly  had  more  or  lefs  of 
once  in  two  or  three  Months  5  but 
that  this  Fit  had  lafted  longer  than 
ordinary.  He  went  to  ftool  fourteen 
times  in  the  twenty  four  Hours,  and 
his  Excrements  were  fill'd  with  Slime, 
and  he  was  very  much  grip'd;  he 
was  dry,  and  his  Pulfe  quicker  than 
natural.  Having  vifited  him  pretty 
betimes  in  the  Morning,  I  ordered 
the  following  Powder  to  be  taken 
immediately. 

Pulver.  Radic.  Rhabarbari  el.gr. 
XXV*  ol.  Menth.  Cimmom.  Sach.  excep- 
tor, a  Gut.  i)i  M. 

This  gave  him  >ls  only, 

and  at  Erf  tji»e-  lis- took  this"  Bolus, 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

9?.  Confection.  Fracajlorij  3],  Succ.Acac. 
gt*  x.  Laudsn.  Opiati  Granum^  Syr.  fl. 
Cariophyllor.  q.  f.  ut  f.  BoL 

His  Drink  was  Harts-horn  Deco- 
ction, Toaft-water,  and  with  this  a 
little  Wine.  When  I  vifited  him  next 
Morning,  I  found  the  foregoing  Night 
had  been  very  eafy,  and  that  he  had 
not  more  than  two  Stools  by  ten, 
the  time  I  was  with  him.  I  then  or- 
der'd  the  Bolus  to  be  repeated  for 
Night,  to  continue  with  the  men- 
tioned Drink,  and  to  take  this  Electu- 
ary thrice  that  Day. 

Miv£  Cydonior.  5(1..  Terr.  Japo- 
nic. 3ij.  Pulver.  Rad.  Torment il.  3ij. 
Syr.  Menth.  q.  f.  ut  f.  Eleciuar.  Ca- 
piat ex  eodem  Magnitudinem  Nucis  My- 
rijlicct  ?najorit)  juperbibendo  Decoffi  Albi 

He  had  no  Stool  all  the  Day  nor 
in  the  following  Night,  and  begin- 
ning to  recover  his  Stomach,  I  left 
him  to  get  his  Strength  by  the  Help 
of  a  good  Diet.  By  the  firft  Bolus  I 
cur'd  Mrs.  Ann  Lindfey  after  Do£tor 
I  3  Gray 


1 1 8      Of  a  Diarrhoea, 

Gray  could  get  no  ground  of  the  Di- 
ftemper,  and  I  commonly  fucceed  with 
it  when  other  Phyficians  have  been 
baffTd,  if  I  am  but  a  little  affifted 
with  fome  of  the  mentioned  Medi- 
cines. 

Hift.  It  Mrs.  Skinner y  Aunt  to  the  Right 
Honourable  the  Lord  Raty,  a  La- 
dy of  about  Seventy  Years  of  Age, 
was  ill  of  a  Diarrhoea  in  1702.  She 
went  about  ten  or  twelve  times  in 
24  Hours:  Her  Stools  were  in  no 
great  Quantity  but  very  loofe,  and 
tull  of  Slime  and  Gall;  fhe  had  no 
Stomach,  and  flept  very  little  ;  She 
was  very  dry,  and  her  Pulfe  quick. 
She  had  been  ill  a  Fortnight  betbre  I 
faw  her,  and  had  taken  of  the  Me- 
dicines in  common  ufe  all  that  time. 
She  had  very  juftly  trufted  to 
Mr.  Malthus  and  it  was  with  all 
imaginable  Difficulty  that  he  could 
periwade  her  to  call  a  Phyfician :  At 
length  fhe  fent  for  me  through  his 
Importunity,  and  that  he  told  her 
that  I  had  a  better  Medicine  for 
that  D  ftemper  than  any  could  be 
preicnb'd  for  her.  Upon  Examina- 
tion 


Of  a  Diarrhoea, 

tion,  I  found  there  was  not  any  Suc- 
cefs  to  be  expe&ed  from  the  com- 
mon Medicines :  And  therefore  being 
oblig'd  to  proceed  in  my  own  Me- 
thod, I  ordered  the  following  Clyfter 
to  be  given  her  about  Six  in  the 
Evening. 

J£.  Decoct,  fort  tor.  Bacttr.  Jumper. 
5x.  Eleffuar.  de  Bacc.  Laur.  3iij.  OL 
Jumper.  JlilUtit.  3).  Enema. 

She  kept  it  half  an  Hour;  and, 
when  fhe  had  paft  all  the  Clyfter, 
fhe  took  a  Dofe  of  my  Antidyfente- 
rical  Ele&uary.  She  took  a  fecond  at 
Bed-time,  and  a  third  early  next  Mor- 
ning. Her  Drink  was  Rice  Water 
with  a  little  Claret,  and  Decoff.  alL 
by  turns.  She  went  twice  between 
the  two  firft  Bolufes;  but  only  once 
-in  the  Night,  and  that  confiftent,  and 
had  not  gone  any  more  by  the  time 
I  vifited  her  next  Day.  Then  I  de- 
fied fhe  might  take  care  of  her  Diet 
that  Day,  and  only  to  abftain  from 
Spoon-meat,  and  to  continue  to  the 
Drink  I  had  already  recommended ; 
but  in  the  Evening  I  defir'd  fhe  might 
I  4  take 


120        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

take  another  Bolus,  and  fhe  did  not 
go  to  Stool  all  the  following  Day. 
Then  fhe  left  off  taking  my  Medicine, 
but  continued  her  Drink  two  or  three 
Days  longer,  and  began  to  take  of 
this  Infufion  twice  a  Day. 

5.  Rad.  Gentian.  3iij.  Flor.  Cha- 
mem&l.  M.  j.  Baccar.  Juniper.  Lign. 
Mo.  a  3iij.  Nucem  mofchatam  major  em 
Rafam.  Parent,  f.  a.  ejr  infundantur  24 
Horas  in  Jq.  Lac~L  &  Vmi  alb.  Luji- 
fame,  a  ibj.  Bib  at  §ij.  bis  in  die. 

It  was  about  thirty  Hours  before 
fhe  had  a  Motion,  and  then  the  Stool 
\yas  natural ;  and  by  that  time  fhe 
made  an  End  of  her  Tinfture,  Ihe 
recovered  her  Digeftion,  and  was  able 
to  go  abroad  in  her  Coach. 

This  is  the  Way  I  commonly  obferve 
in  ftubborn  Diarrhoeas •  which  is  well 
known  to  have  been  wqnderful  Suc- 
cefsful  after  all  other  methods  have  been 
try'd  to  no  Purpofe.  After  this  man- 
ner I  fucceeded  with  Mrs.  Skipworth, 
Mrs.  Palmer,  and  many  more  Old  Men 
and  Women.  The  Lady  I  mention'd 
laft  is  Mother  in  Law  to  Mr.  John- 

ft* 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  121 

fton>  Clerk  to  the  Houfe  of  Peers. 
She  was  ill,  at  times,  for  many  Years, 
yet  I  cur'd  her  in  a  Day.  Her  Phy- 
sician told  me  once,  in  Company  of 
other  Phyficians,  that  indeed  I  cur'd 
her  in  a  fort ;  but  that  fhe  had  ftill 
a  Cofiive  Loofnefs.  This  Difeafe  being 
very  odd,  and  bearing  more  of  Ma- 
lice than  Senfe  in  it,  I  then  left  him 
to  give  a  farther  Account  of  it ;  as  I 
now  do,  becaufe  it  has  not  fallen  un- 
der my  Obfervation,  or  that  of  any 
other  Phyfician. 

Mrs.  Goedarty  being  ill  of  a  Diar-  Hift.in. 
rbcea,  fent  to  me  in  Augufi  1704.  Her 
Stools  were  perfed  clear  Water,  and 
fhe  had  one  of  them  almoft  every 
Hour.  She  had  a  great  Drought, 
was  FeveriQi,  and  ■  fometimes  vo- 
mited. Her  Pulfe  was  little,  and  fhe 
made  a  fmall  Quantity  of  Water.  As 
I  vifited  her  towards  Evening,  I  pre- 
fcrib'd  her  the  following  Pills  to  be 
taken  at  Bed-time. 

?u  Pulyer.  Radzc.  Rhabark  Elect. 
5il.  Theriac.  Andromacb.  q.  f.  Fiwt 

PiluU 


122       Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

PiluU  vj.  quas  Hora  Somni  deglu* 
liat. 

Next  Day,  which  was  the  14th,  I 
call'd  about  Noon  and  found  that 
fhe  had  been  pretty  quie*  the  Fore- 
part of  the  Night,  but  fbe  began  to 
laave  Stools  in  the  Morning,  which 
neither  were  fo  many  nor  fo  watry ; 
The  Operation  likewife  of  the  Pur- 
gative feem'd  to  be  fpent.  And  there- 
fore defir'd  her  Food  fhould  be  rar 
ther  of  fomething  that  was  folid,  and 
to  forbear  Spoon-meat :  that  her  Drink 
might  be  Decocf.  alb.  and  that  fhe 
fhould  take  carefully  of  the  follow- 
ing Medicines. 

Coral,  rubr.  pr£p.  3ij.  Antimon. 
Diaphoretic.  3  ft.  CoccineU.  3j.  M.  f 
Dojes  tres.  Acctpiat  unam  ter  in  die, 
fuperbibendo  femper  Cochlear*  iv.feq.  Ju- 
lapii. 

Aq.  Lact.  Cinamom.  fort,  a  §iv* 
Menth.  |j.  Theriac.  Andromach.  3jft. 
Syrup,  de  conditur.  Rad.  Zjnziber.  5j. 
M  f.  Julap, 

Oil 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.        1 2  3 

On  the  1 5th  her  Stools  were  much 
in  the  former  Condition,  and  fhe  had 
vomited  three  or  four  times.  Where- 
fore I  ordered  a  Quantity  of  thin 
Water-Gruel  or  Carduus-T&L  to  be  got 
ready;  and  in  cafe  fhe  had  Inclina- 
tions to  vomit,  fhe  was  to  drink  a 
large  Draught  of  a  Pint  or  more 
of  either  of  them ;  Then  to  take  a 
Dofe  of  my  Medicine  for  curing  Flux-* 
es,  her  Stomach  being  perfectly  quiet. 
She  was  likewife  to  take  a  fecond 
Dofe  upon  her  having  a  Stool  after 
taking  the  fore-mention'd  Dofe ;  but 
it  was  to  be  taken  early  next  Mor- 
ning, whether  fhe  had  a  Stool  or  not. 
I  found  her  that  Morning  of  the 
1 6th.  perfe&ly  free  of  her  Diftemper, 
and  that  it  had  ceas'd  upon  the  firft 
Dofe.  However  fhe  took  a  third 
Dofe  in  the  Evening,  and  recover'd 
entirely  without  a  Relapfe. 

Brigadeer  General  C 'rout her  was  ta-  Hift.  iv. 
ken  ill  of  a  Diarrhea  in  1707.  He 
went  to  Stool  between  twenty  and 
thirty  times  in  one  Day  ;  His 
Pulfe  was  quick,  he  was  very  dry, 
and   had   no  Stomach,  nor  could 

he 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

he  fleep  a  nights.  He  was  under 
the  Care  of  my  Friend  the  Learned 
Doftor  Garth ;  but  his  Unefs  conti- 
nuing very  violent,  and  he  becoming 
very  weak,  the  Doctor  began  to  have 
fmall  hopes  of  his  Recovery,  and  told 
him  that  he  had  but  one  thing  more 
to  depend  on,  and  if  that  fhould  not 
fucceed  by  next  Morning  he  defir'd  the 
Brigadeer  to  fend  for  me.  The  Pre- 
fcnption,  failing  of  its  Succefs,  I  was 
accordingly  fent  to  very  early  next 
Morning.  I  did  not  think  it  proper 
to  give  him  any  thing  then,  but  I 
told  him  that  1  fhould  call  again  4 
Hours  hence  to  prefcribe  for  him  ;  but 
I  defir'd  the  Doftor's  Prefcriptions 
might  be  had  in  the  mean  time.  At 
my  Return  I  look'd  into  what  Dr. 
Garth  had  ordered,  that  I  might  affift 
the  Brigadeer  out  of  our  Books  if 
poflible :  But  every  thing  there  was 
fo  exhausted  in  the  Doftor's  Practice, 
that  I  could  not  hope  to  bring  him 
any  Help  from  thence.  Wherefore, 
without  Lofs  of  Time,  he  had  this 
Powder. 


Of  a  Diarrhoea 

Fulver.  Rad.  Rhabarb.  Elect.  3j. 
cortic.  Qtnamom.  acerrim.  jimiliter  in 
Tolline  gr.  viij.  M.  &  exhibeatur  qiuirn- 
frimum. 

I  defir'd  he  might  take  a  Dofe  of 
my  Medicine  about  fix  in  the  Eve- 
ning. I  calPd  about  Eight,  and  then 
he  told  me  he  believ'd  I  had  cur'd 
him :  For  he  found  fomething  in  the 
Operation  of  the  Medicine  that  he 
could  not  defcribe,  but  what  he  had 
not  felt  in  any  other  Medicine  he 
had  ever  taken.  He  had  eight  Stools 
after  his  Rhubarb,  but  had  not  any 
from  the  time  he  took  the  Bolus.  I 
left  him  two  more:  One  to  be  taken 
going  to  Bed,  and  the  other  next 
Morning  if  he  fhould  have  a  Stool 
in  the  Night.  His  Drink  had  been 
the  Decoci.  Alb.  before  I  faw  him,  and 
was  continued. 

I  found  him  next  Day  free  of  his 
Diarrhea  ;  he  had  not  any  Stool  in 
the  Night,  fo  he  did  not  take  his 
third  Dofe.  I  defir'd  he  might  take 
it  that  following  Evening  whether 
he  had  a  Stool  or  not,  and  prefcrib'd 


1 26        Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

him  the  Stomachick  Tin&ure  already 
mentioned. 

Thus  were  curM  Charles  May,  and 

.        Dalton  Efquires,  Do£tor  Blow  at 

Windfor  by  the  Learned  Doftor  Ar- 
buthnot,  Mrs.  Sheldon,  Mr.  Pothering- 
ham  an  eminent  Surgeon,  Mr.  Hop- 
/>  ton  on  Milbank  who  had  been  ill  two 
Years  under  the  Care  of  Sr.  Richard 
Blackmore,  with  fo  many  more  that  it 
would  be  tedious  to  mention  them. 
I  might  give  Inftances  likewife  of  fome 
Phyficians  pretending  to  cure  People 
with  my  Medicine,  but  as  the  Re- 
lation bears  very  hard  upon  their 
Honefty,  I  pafs  them  by  at  prefent 
hoping  they  have  done  enough  to 
make  them  repent. 

Hift.  v.  Laft  .  Winter,  when  this  Diftem- 
per  was  moft  frequent  thro'  the 
Severity  and  Coldnefs  of  the  Seafon, 
I  was  calPd  to  a  great  Multitude 
ill  of  a  Diarrhea.  On  Monday  the 
28th  of  February  I  was  calPd,  in  the 
Evening,  to  Sr.  Charles  Scrimger. 
He  fickenM  the  Saturday  before,  but 
I  did  not  prefcribe  for  him,  he  pref- 
fing  me  to  communicate  my  Medicine 

to 


Of  a  Diarrhoea.  i 

to  his  Phyfician  who  then  had  him 
under  Cure.    I  was  calPd  again  the 
3d.  of  March,  and  found  two  more 
Phyficians  had  been  join'd  to  the  for- 
mer.   It  was  then  too  late  for  me 
to  do  him  any  Service;  for  he  had 
taken   his  laft   Medicine  as  I  then 
told    his    Lady   the    time    I  faw 
him ;  and  he  died  accordingly  next 
Morning.    On  the  16th.  and  before 
Sir  Charles  was  buried,  the  Lady  was 
taken  very  ill  of  the  fame  Diftemper, 
but  fhe  was  cur'd  by  the  19th.  by 
the  ufe  of  my  Medicine  adminifter'd 
in  the  mention'd  Method;  and  then 
it  was  fhe  told  me  the  Pra&ices  up- 
on Sr.  Charles,  \Vhich  I  conceal  for 
the  Honour  of  Mankind,  as  well  as 
that  of  the  Profeffion.    It  was  fome- 
time  before  that  I  was  calPd  to  Mrs. 
Jennings  in  Great  Ruffel-Street  near 
Southampton-Square :  She  was  likewife 
a  dying,  fo  I  did  not  prefcribe  for 
her.  In  the  afternoon  one  of  her  Phy- 
ficians calTd  in,  and  was  merry  with 
my  Prognoftick  :  But  fhe  died  that 
Evening  notwithftanding   his  great 
Jocofenefs.    The  other  faid  he  knew 
by  his  Experience  and  Travels  (not 


Of  a  Diarrhoea. 

by  Reading)  that  a  Loofnefs  was  not 
to  be  ftopp'd  too  foon.  Thus  fhe  died 
for  fear  of  curing  her  too  foon:  tho' 
their  whole  Endeavour  was  to  flop 
the  Diarrhea  at  any  rate.  I  do  not 
know  whether  the  Counfel  of  Celfus 
has  done  moft  good  by  making  Peo- 
ple cautious,  or  moft  harm  by  ma- 
king them  Cunning :  But  it  is  often 
us'd  on  the  laft  Account  by  many 
that  never  read  that  Author. 

Many  other  Cafes  might  be  ad- 
ded, whereby  the  Propriety  of  the 
Medicines  in  common  Ufe  might  be 
determined,  and  the  incomparable  Be- 
nefit of  this  my  Medicine  illuftrated  : 
But  what  I  have  already  propos'd  are 
abundantly  fufficient  for  both  thefe 
Purpofes. 


CHAP. 


Chap.  II. 
Of  a  Lientery  and  Coeliack 


ALientery,  or  when  the  Meat  arid 
Drink  pafs  quickly  thorow  one, 
very  little  chang'd  from  what  they 
Were  when  firft  taken;  As  alfo  the 
Caliack  Ajfetfion,  wherein  the  Food 
has  undergone  a  confiderable  Altera- 
tion, but  is  thrown  out  of  the  Body 
in  the  Stools,  may  feem  already  treat- 
ed of  in  the  foregoing  Difcourfe  about 
a  DUrrhcea :  for  in  it  we  found  the 
Food  was  fometime  thrown  off  with- 
out its  having  fuffer'd  any  fenfible 
Change.  'Tis  certain,  if  we  confider 
how  thefe  Diftempers  have  been  ma- 
naged, the  Difference  feems  not  to 
be  fo  great  between  thefe  Difeafes 
and  the  former,  as  appears  to  be  be- 


Sect.  I. 


K 


tween 


Of  a  Lientery 


tween  themfelves,  however  confide- 
rableit  really  is.    (a)  Diodes  has  long 
ago  taught  us  this  Diftinftion,  (viz.) 
That  we  are  chiefly  or  only  affli&ed 
with  a  Lientery  and  Cceltack  AffeBion 
after  Eating  and  Drinking,  and  they 
continue  juft  fo  l@ng  as  any  of  that 
Subftance  is  left  undifcharg'd ;  quite 
otherwife  than  in  the  Cafe  of  a  Di- 
arrha?a,  where  the  Stools  go  on  what- 
ever happens  to  our  Food  on  that 
account.    This  its  elTential  Difference 
being  noted,  I  fhall  proceed  in  the 
former  Method,  and  difcover  what 
Obfervation  has  eftablifh'd  as  its  Cau- 
fes,  what  things  attend  a  Lientery  and 
Cceliack  Affection,  and  what  the  Con- 
fequence  is  of  their  longer  Continu- 
ance. 

§.  II.  Appearances  that  commonly 
precede  a  Lientery  and  Cceltack  Affec- 
tion are  a  Want  of  Appetite^  a 
at  the  Stomach,  a  Defect  in  Concoction^  ta- 
king Food  or  other  things  that  purge,  4 
Diarrhoea^  and  a  Dyfentery. 

§.  III.  There 


(a)  Curat.  &  Caula  Paffioms: 


and  Cceliack  Affe6Hon. 


§.  III.  There  attend  them  Vncon- 
cotted  Meat  thrown  off  without  Pain,  as 
{a)  Hipocrates  fays,  not  put  r  iff  d  and 
liquid.  But  in  the  Cceliack  Affection^ 
Concotiion  has  preceded  and  the  Stools 
have  the  Colour  of  Chyle,  (b)  jEgineta, 
allures  us  that  of  both  kinds  of  Slippe- 
rinefs  the  food  is  foonejl  thrown  off  iti 
cafe  of  a  Cceliack  Paflion  ;  and  the 
Crudity  is  fo  great  that  the  kind  of  Food 
eaten  is  eajily  difcerrfd.  There  is  Nau- 
feoufnefs,  a  Heat  in  the  HypochondreSj 
and  a  Lofs  of  Flejh. 

§.  IV.  This  Difeafe  is  followed  with 
Faintnefsj  Palenejs,  aTympanites,  and  the 
Jaundtesi  It  is  hardly  curM  in  Peo- 
ple of  old  Age,  but  efpecially  if  it  fuc- 
ceeds  a  Dyfentery.  Toung  People  are 
more  eafily  cur'd.  (c)  Hippocrates 
fays  that  //  the  Stools  are  Crude,  Black, 
or  light  like  Ox-dung,  and  Jlinkmg ;  if 
we  lofe  all  Defire  to  Meat,  and  the  Defire 
of  Drinking  encreafes,yet  if  the  fick  Perfon 
does  not  make  Water  near  m  any  Propor- 
tion to  what  he  drinks ;  if  he  breaks  out 
about  the  Mouth,  and  his  Face  is 
K  2  fwoln 

00  DeA&ft.(£)  Lib'.  3- cap, 4.  (0  Lib.  2.praedi& 


l32  Of  a  Lientery 

fwoln  and  bloated^  and  has  an  Eryfipe- 
las?  and  his  Belly  is  become  dirty  and 
wrinkled  at  the  fame  timer  the  Dan- 
ger  is  great  and  Death  unavoidable* 
But  whoever  has  been  long  ill  of  this 
Difeafe  and  has  voided  little  (a)  Animals  y 
(b)  Afcarides,  and  was  much  grip*  dy  com- 
monly fwell  when  thefe  go  ojfy  as  (c)  Hip- 
pocrates obferves.  The  fame  Hippo- 
crates fays  that  (d)  Lienteries  with  a 
Difficulty  of  Breathing  and  a  Gnawing  in 
the  Stomach  tend  to  a  Confumption.  A 
longer  Continuance  of  this  Difeafe  caufes 
Death. 

a  want  of        v.  It  has  already  been  Ihewn 
ppetite.  J.jiat  a  ^rant  0f  Appetite  proceeds 

either  from  a  Quantity  of  an  unconcoc- 
ted  Subftance,  whereby  the  mutual 
Friftion  of  the  inner  Surfaces  of  the 
Stomach  is  impeded ;  or  elfe  that  its 
Conco&ing  Menfiruum  is  diluted  by  a 
Quantity  of  watry  Humours  difcharg'd 
into  it.  Now  the  Periftaltick  Mo- 
tion of  the  Stomach  and  Inteftines 
may  be  augmented,  by  the  Sharpnefs 
of  this  corrupting  Subftance,  or  of  the 

watry 


U)  Jod.  Lorn,  (b)  Duret.  (0  Coac.  468.  (d)  Coa  c.<$4* 


and  Cceliack  Affe&ion.    1 33 


watry  Difcharge  made  into  the  Sto- 
mach, and  thus  may  prove  a  Caufe 
of  a  Lientery:  For,  in  that  cafe,  the 
Food  will  be  thrown  out  unconcod- 


§.  VI.  A  Pain  at  the  Stomach  eafily 
fucceeds  its  being  violently  Simulated 
by  the  mentioned  Corruption,  or  by 
the  Sharpnefs  of  that  Liquor  fecreted 
at  its  Glands.  Befides,  this  Pain  is 
fometimes  the  Efte&of  an  Inflamma- 
tion. Now  whether  this  Stimulating 
occafions  the  Inflammation  and  Pain, 
or  that  the  Pain  proceeds  from  an 
Inflammation  without  the  mentioned 
Stimulus,  yet  either  of  them  will  pro- 


dinary  of  the  Mufcular  Fibres  of  the 
Stomach  and  by  this  its  greater  Con- 
traction, every  thing  contained  in  it 
is  more  quickly  expelPd,  and  little 
chang'd  from  what  it  was  at  firft  Ea- 
ting :  And  therefore  this  Inflamma- 
tion and  Stimulus  of  the  Stomach, 
that  gives  Pain,  is  likewife  the  Caufe 
of  a  Lientery,  fince  it  occafions  this 
quicker  Evacuation  of  unconcocted 
Food  in  which  its  Effence  confiits. 


ed. 


duce 


VII.  If 


1 34         Of  a  Lientery 

a  pefea  ^  yil.  If  our  Meat  and  Drink  re- 
in Conco-         -i  i 

£li0n>  -main  a  longer  time,  but  corrupt  in- 
to fome  other  Form  inftead  of  being 
comminuted  into  Small  and  Homoge- 
neous Parts  fit  for  nourifhing  ;  in  that 
cafe  the  Motion  of  the  Stomach  in- 
creafes,  and  the  Secretions  become 
more  plentiful  at  its  Glands,  as  has 
been  Ihewn,  and  the  Food  is  thrown 
off  more  or  lefs  conco&ed,  more  or 
lefs  corrupted,  and  more  or  lefs  li- 
quid, according  to  the  time  the  Food 
continued  in  the  Stomach,  the  De- 
grees of  its  Corruption,  and  the  Na- 
ture and  Quantity  of  Secretions  then 
made.  Wherefore  it  is  evident  that 
this  defeftive  Conco&ion  will  occafion 
a  Lientery )  or  a  Cceliack  Afft&ion,  as 
this  violent  Contraftion  may  be  in 
the  Stomach  or  Inteftines. 

Taking  §.  VIIL  After  the  fame  manner  it  is 
fhi>d<»or  t'lat  our  Food  is  thrown  out  under  va- 
itatpiirge  r^ous  Forms,  and  in  different  times, 
by  its  ftimula  ting  and  purging  Nature  ; 
and  proportionally  to  the  purging 
power  of  the  Food,  the  time  it  ltays  in 
our  Stomach,  and  manner  it  affefts 
the  Guts,  the  Food  will  be  chang'd  and 

thrown 


and  Coeliack  Affe&ion.  13$ 

thrown  out  of  the  Body,  and  by  thefe 
its  Changes  make  a  Ca-liack  Affettwn, 
and  a  Lientery :  And  therefore  things 
of  a  loofning  and  ftimulating  Quali- 
ty being  often  taken,  caufe  the  Food 
to  be  thrown  off  in  fundry  Shapes,  or 
will  occafion  a  Lientery  or  a  Cceliack 
Affection. 

§.  IX.  It  is  manifeft  from  what  auw. 
was  formerly  faid  of  a  Diarrhoea,  that  r  xa" 
the  Periftaltick  Motion  of  the  Sto- 
mach and  Inteftines  may  perfift  in 
fome  meafure,  and  a  Difcharge  of 
watry  Humours  be  greater  than  na- 
tural when  the  Violence  of  that  Dif- 
eafe  is  over  ;  and  confequently,  that 
our  Food  and  Drink  may  be  more 
quickly  expelPd,  more  or  lefs  concoc- 
ted, when  there  is  not  a  Diarrhoea, 
which  is  a  Lientery  and  a  Caliaek  Af- 
fection. For  as  a  Diarrhoea  it  felf  was 
a  voiding  of  liquid  Stools  upon  the 
account  of  a  great  Difcharge  of  watry 
Humours,  or  that  the  Guts  were  ex- 
traordinarily ftimulated,  fo  fome  De- 
gree of  this  Caufe  remaining  produ- 
ces the  prefent  Difeafe  or  very  much 
contributes  to  its  Produ&ion  by  aug- 
K  4  menting 


6         Of  (i  Lientery 

menting  the  Forces  of  the  mention'd 
Caufes.    This  is  the  only  way  that 
a  Diarrhoea  can  poffibly  concur  ip  ef- 
fefting  this  Difeafe,  and  is  never  pro- 
duced by  that  Defluxion  of  Phlegm 
alledg'd  by  Hippocrates  and  other  Phy- 
ficians.  But  tho  this  cannot  be  a  Caufe 
of  a  Lientery  or  Cceliack  Paflion,  yet  it 
is  fuppos'd  by  fome  as  the  Occafion 
of  the  Slipperinefs  in  the  Stomach  and 
Inteftines,  which  they  think  abfolute- 
ly  neeeffary  for  our  having  a  Lientery* 
But  as  fuch  a  Defluxion  has  already 
been  fliewn  a  Contradiftion  to  Expe- 
rience, it  muft  follow  that  either  there 
is  not  any  Neceflity  for  their  Slippe- 
rinefs in  order  to  a  Lientery \  or  that 
It  muft  be  had  fome  other  way. 

Dtitn'  (j.  X.  After  the  fame  manner  it  is 
manifeft,  that  as  a  Lientery  and  Cce- 
liack AffeBion  were  produced  by  a 
Diarrhea,  fo  much  more  may  they 
be  the  Effeft  of  a  Dyfentery  becaule 
the  Simulating  Caufes  are  greater  in 
cafe  of  a  Dyfentery  than  in  that  of  a 
Diarrhoea,  their  Effe£t  in  the  former 
cafe  being  an  Emiflion  of  Blood :  and 
therefore  the  Power  remaining  after 


and  Coeliack  Affe&ion.  i 


a  Dyfentery  may  ftill  be  fufficient  to 
produce  a  Ltentery  and  Cocliack  Affec- 
tion,  and  that  more  effe£tually  than 
in  the  mentioned  Cafe  of  a  Diarrhoea. 
Now  tho'  thefe  are  the  only  Means 
whereby  a  Dyfentery  can  produce  the 
prefent  Difeafe,  yet  almoft  every  Phy- 
fician  has  imagined  this  Operation  by 
a  Dyfentery  to  be  quite  otherwife. 
They  think,  that  as  the  Guts  were 
ulcerated  in  time  of  a  Dyfentery,  fo 
that  now  they  are  cur'd  the  Cicatri- 
ces of  thefe  Ulcers  fhut  up  the  Mouths 
of  the  La&eals  that  the  Chyle  can- 
not pafs  by  them  into  the  Liver ;  at 
leaft,  that  they  made  the  Guts  fmooth 
and  void  of  their  natural  Afperity, 
and  the  Chyle  gliding  along  thefe 
flippery  Guts  too  quickly  has  not 
time  enough  to  pafs  into  the  Liver 
by  the  Mefaraick  Veins,  but  is  caft 
out  in  the  Stools,  and  conftitutes  a 
Coeliack  Affection. 

This  Notion  of  Ulcers  in  the  Guts 
in  cafe  of  a  Dyfentery  is  altogether 
againft  the  Opinion  of  Hippocrates, 
however  feafible  it  may  feem  upon 
Galen's  Hypothefis;  and  it  fhall  ap- 
pear as  oppofite  to  Truth.  For  fuppo- 


Of  a  Lientery 

fing  this  Caufe  were  poflible,  there 
could  not  be  any  Cure  for  a  Cceliack 
Jjfeffion  becaufe  there  are  no  Means 
able  to  remove  thefe  Cicatrices  5  yet 
thefe  very  Phyficians  have  found  this 
Celiacs  curM :  And  therefore  it  necef- 
farily  follows  that  this  Smoothnefs  and 
Slipperinefs  of  the  Guts  on  account 
of  thefe  Cicatrices  is  abfolutely  falfe. 
This  Opinion  feems  fo  abfurd  to  the 
Learned  (a)  Rwerius  that  he  freely 
confelfes  this  Caufe  not  to  be  allowed 
of ;  becaufe,  in  that  cafe,  all  the  Guts 
muft  needs  be  exulcerated,  and  the 
Cicatrices  form'd  upon  thefe  Ulcers 
muft  be  fufficient  to  fhut  up  almoft 
all  the  Mefaraick  VelTels,  which  he 
thinks  not  very  reafonable  to  fuppofe, 
fince  it  is  impoflible  for  a  Perfon  to 
live  in  fuch  a  Condition,  Wherefore 
it  is  evident  that  this  fiidden  voiding 
our  Aliment  unconcofted,  or  the  Chyle 
before  it  paffes  into  the  Lafteals,  is  by 
no  means  occafion'd  by  this  Smooth- 
nefs of  the  Guts  on  eitner  of  the  ac- 
counts fuppos'd  by  the  Ancients,  and 
as  the  Names  of  thefe  Difeafes  im- 
port. 


(a)  Cap.  4.  Lib.  10. 


and  Coeliack  Affe&ion. 


porr.  Indeed,  properly  fpeaking,  there 
ought  alio  to  be  a  Slipperinefs  in  the 
St  jh  as  well  as  in  the  Guts,  fince 
\v,  nnd  the  Food  forcM  out  of  it  al- 
moil  in  the  fame  Form  we  fwallow'd 
it  down ;  yet  none  of  them  ever  fup- 
posM  the  Office  of  the  Guts  was  to 
conco£t  the  Food :  And  therefore  they 
have  given  us  a  very  imperfeft  Ac- 
count of  this  Difeafe.  All  of  them 
were  not  of  this  Opinion  of  the 
Smoothnefs  being  the  Caufe  of  a  L/- 
entery:  for  (a)  Galen  thinks  fomething 
elfe  neceffary  befides  this  Slipperinefs, 
and  as  the  Power  the  Stomach  has 
to  retain  and  concoct  our  Aliment  is 
rather  by  fome  Faculty  than  any  Af- 
perity  fuppos'd  by  others,  fo  the  rea- 
fon  that  the  Food  paffes  fo  foon  out 
of  the  Stomach  in  this  Difeafe  is 
more  owing  to  the  Defe£t  of  this  Fa- 
culty than  its  extraordinary  Smooth- 
nefs and  Slipperinefs.  Now  we  may 
readily  guefs  at  the  Nature  of  this 
Faculty,  if  we  confider  the  Structure, 
Situation  and  Powers  of  the  Stomach, 
formerly  mentioned,  from  Anatomy 

and 


(a)  In  Aphor.Hippocr.  Lib.  5.Seft.  i. 


140         Of  a  Licntery 

and  fuppos'd  all  along  in  this  Reafo- 
ning.  Hence  it  is  manifeft  why  fome- 
times  the  Contents  of  the  Stomach 
and  Guts  are  quickly  expell'd,  and 
why  more  leafurely  according  to  the 
Defign  of  Nature,  and  why  they  are 
not  expelPd  at  all.  By  what  is  faid 
it  appears  that  the  Name  of  this 
Diftemper  is  improper,  and  its  Cau- 
fes  ill  obferv'd  among  all  Authors, 
tho5  it  certainly  aflfe&s  us  in  the 
manner  defcrib'd. 

The  food     §.  XI.  However  defeftive  the  Num* 
off°un-    ^er  °*  Preceding  Appearances  really 
chang'd    are,  either  becaufe  this  Difeafe  feldom 
and  with-  occurs  or  that  there  is  greater  Diffi- 
outPam.  culty  in  0bferving  it,  fo  far  it  muft- 
be  certain  that  the  Contents  of  the 
Stomach  may  be  thus  quickly  ex- 
pelPd upon  the  Account  of  thofe  fti- 
mulating  Caufes  already  mention'd. 
Yet  Hippocrates  obferves  that  this  un- 
concocted  Aliment  is  often  thrown  off 
without  Pain;  and  therefore  other 
Caufes  ought  to  be  affign'd  befides 
thefe  which  irritate  and  ftimulate, 
but  which  never  excite  the  Periftal- 
tick  Motion  of  the  Guts  without  oc- 

cafioning 


and  Coeliack  Affe6Hon. 


cafioning  Pain  at  the  fame  time.  Ob- 
fervation  is  indeed  filent  in  this  par- 
ticular ;  but  fince  a  Lientery  happens 
without  Pain,  fuch  Caufes  ought  to 
be  better  inquir'd  into  that  may  pro- 
duce this  Difeafe  and  yet  not  be  pain- 
ful. 

The  Caufe  I  think  may  be  difco- 
ver'd  by  confidering  exactly  the  way 
how  the  Stomach  and  Inteftines  are 
contrafted :  For  we  find,  in  our  daily 
conco&ing,  that  the  Food  is  reduc'a 
into  Chyle  and  thruft  into  the  Lafteals 
and  by  them  pafs'd  into  the  Blood 
and  turn'd  into  Nourifhment,  with- 
out any  Trouble  or  Difturbance  gi- 
ven us  ;  and  therefore  whatever  may 
render  the  Contraction  of  the  Stomach 
and  Inteftines  greater,  without  any 
fliarp  and  ftimulating  Parts  apply'd 
to  the  Fibres,  will  readily  produce  a 
Lientery  or  Cxliack  Affettion  and  that 
without  Pain.  Many  remoter  Affec- 
tions in  the  Stomach  may  occafion 
this,  as  Thrufhefy  a  Phlegmon  &c.  or 
more  immediately  a  Convulfion  in 
that  Part,  which  might  juftly  be  rec- 
koned among  thefe  things  that  pre- 
cede 


142  Of  a  Lientery 

cede  a  Lientery,  and  muft  needs  be 
duely  confider' d  in  the  Cure. 

Orconco-  §.  XII.  On  the  other  hand,  when 
def  the  ^e  St00^s  are  Chylous,  tho'  the  Meat 
Form  of  and  Drink  have  continued  a  due  time 
Chyle.  in  the  Stomach  and  it  has  performed 
its  Office  in  conco&ing,  then  there  is 
a  Cvliack  Affection.  Now  the  Chyle 
may  be  driven  out  of  our  Body  mixt 
in  with  the  Stools,  either  becaufe  of 
Scrophulous  Inteftines  which  may  hin- 
der the  Entry  of  the  Chyle  into  the 
La&eals,  or  that  their  Orifices  are 
comprefs'd  by  the  Obftruftions  and 
Tumours  in  the  Glands  of  the  Me- 
fentery  ;  or  the  Groffnefs  of  the  Chyle 
it  felf  even  when  the  La&eals  are 
paffable;  or  laftly  that  the  Periftal- 
tick  Motion  of  the  Guts  is  fo  great 
that  the  Chyle  is  driven  along  with 
the  Stools  before  it  can  be  convey'd 
into  the  Lafteals.  But  in  all  thefe 
cafes,  except  the  laft,  the  Chyle  can- 
not quickly  pafs  thro'  the  Guts  as  it 
happens  in  a  Cceliack  Paflion;  and 
therefore  a  Cceliacd  Loofrefs  feems 
chiefly  to  proceed  from  a  violent  Pe- 
riftaltick  Motion  of  the  Guts.  The 

fame 


and  Cceliack  Affe&ion.  143 

fame  might  be  faid  of  the  Guts  full 
of  Scars  after  a  Dyfentery,  as  is  now 
faid  of  Scrophulous  People  :  For  if  it 
were  polfible  for  the  Guts  to  be  in 
one  continued  Cicatrice,  the  Stools 
might  indeed  be  Chylous,  but  they 
would  be  fo  far  from  being  quickly 
expell'd,  as  in  a  Loofnefs,  that  they 
muft  be  longer  in  being  thrown  off 
than  natural.  Wherefore  there  is  not 
any  thing  neceffary,  befides  this  aug- 
mented Motion  of  the  Guts,  for  pro- 
ducing a  Cceliacd  Loofnefs.  But  here 
it  may  be  obferv'd,  that  the  Motion 
qf  the  Stomach  may  be  greater  than 
natural  while  the  Guts  perform  their 
Office  as  ufual;  So  likewife,  the  Pe- 
riftaltick  Motion  of  the  Guts  may  be 
violent,  while  the  Motion  of  the  Sto- 
mach continues  to  be  natural.  In 
the  firft  cafe  there  will  a  Lientery  be 
produced,  and  in  the  fecond  a  Cali- 
*ck  Affettion. 

§.  XIII.  Naufeoufnefs,  or  an  In-  They 
clination  to  vomit,  is  occafion'd  by  ^^j: 
every  thing  that  ftimulates  the  Sto-  nefs. 
mach,  even  to  turning  it  by  the  Help 
of  the  Midriff.    Now  in  time  of  In- 

digeftion, 


144         Of  a  Lientery 

digeftion,  and  many  other  Caufe& 
which  precede  a  Lientery,  the  Sto- 
mach is  found  to  be  thus  Simulated : 
and  therefore  alfo  Naufeoufnefs  or  a 
Tendency  to  vomit  is  produced* 

intheHat-  ^  XIV#  As  ancient  Phyficians 
pocimdres.  reckon'd  all  that  Space  between  the 
CartiUgo  Enftformis  and  Ileum  the  Re- 
gion of  the  Hypochondres  ;  and  with 
that  not  only  the  Abdomen  or  lower 
Belly,  but  the  Cawl,  Inteftines  and 
all  contained  in  its  Cavity.  And  there- 
fore if  we  confider  the  Guts  either 
extremely  ftimulated,  or  containing 
greater  than  ordinary  Quantities  of 
corrupted  and  fermenting  Subftances, 
we  muft  readily  conclude  from  all  thefe 
Confiderations  that  the  Heat  in  that 
Region  will  be  likewife  greater  than 
ordinary.  Thus  it  eafily  appears  how, 
in  time  of  a  Lientery  and  CcelUck  Af- 
feffion,  there  is  Heat  in  the  Hypochon- 
dres  as  has  been  obferv'd. 


i 


And  a     §.  XV.  When  we  refleft  that  in 
llefaf     Lientery  and  Cceliack    Pajfion,  almo 
all    our   Aliment    is  thrown  out 
of    the    Body    having  undergone 

but 


tfwdCoeliack  AfFe&ion.  145 

but  a  fmall  Change,  and  fometimes 
after  it  is  duely  concofted :  But  this 
Aliment  is  the  Supply  to  the  Waftings 
of  our.  natural  Secretions.  Now  by 
thefe  Secretions  a  Quantity  of  Blood 
is  voided  out  of  the  Body,  and  it  is 
by  -this  Quantity  the  Blood  Velfels 
of  the  Mufcles  are  fuller  and  we  are 
faid  to  have  Flefh  ;  and  therefore  when 
this  Quantity  is  wafting  daily,  and  im- 
perfectly fupply'd,  our  Flefh  muft 
waftein  proportion  to  the  Difference 
of  the  Wafting  to  thefe  Supplies ;  and 
they  being  always  lefs  and  lefs,  our 
Flefh  is  always  wafting  for  want  of 
a  due  Supply  :  And  therefore,  in  a 
longer  Continuance  of  a  Ltentery  or  of 
a  Cceliack  Affettton,  the  Lofs  of  our 
Flefh  will  become  very  great  and 
fenfible. 

XVI.  7Tis  upon  the  foregoing  There 
Account  that  a  Lientery   and  a  O-  fon°w* 
Hack  Affection  are  follow 'd  with  Faint-  fcape 
nefs,  or  an  immenfe  Decay  of  Strenth.  Faintnefc 
For,  Strength  being  in  fome  propor- 
tion to  the  Quantity  and  Fluidity  of 
Blood  that  make  the  Spirits  and  fill 
the  flefhy  Fibres  of  the  Mufcles,  and 
L  both 


14.6  Of  a  Lientery 

both  the  Quantity  and  Fluidity  of  ! 
Blood  being  lefs  in  this  Difeafe,  the 
Strength  may  be  diminiflh'd  to  Fain- 
ting by  a  long  Continuance  of  a  Lien* 
tery  and  Cceliack  Affeftion. 

fctfenefs.      §•  XVII.  For  this  reafon,  alfo,  they 
are  Pale  on  whom  a  Lientery  or  a 
Cceliack  Affection  has  lafted  any  time  ; 
For  we  are  redder  or  paler  as  the 
fmall  Veffels  are  fill'd  with  Blood : 
but  in  a  Difeafe  where  the  Supplies- 
of  the  Blood  are  never  prepar'd,  or 
are  thrown  out  of  the  Body  before 
they  can  get  at  the  Blood,,  it  muft 
needs  be  very  much  leffen'd  in  its 
Quantity,  whatever  its  Condition  may 
be  in  other  refpe&s.  Now  the  Quan- 
tity of  Blood  being  lefs,  the  Veffels 
in  any  Part  of  the  Body  are  lefs  fill'd, 
if  every  thing  elfe  is  in  proper  Cir- 
cumftances  and  in  a  natural  Condi- 
tion :  and  as  thefe  Veffels  are  not  fo 
full,  neither  are  they  fo  much  exten- 
ded, and  confequently  they  become 
paier.  Wherefore  in   a   Lientery  or 
a  Cceliack  Affection  there  is  Palenefs^ 
as  has  commonly  been  found. 


§,  XVIII.  Tho* 


and  Coeliack  Affe&iori.  147 

XVIII.  Tho'  any  kind  of  Drop-  a  Tjmp^ 
fy  might  follow  a  Lientery,  when  ill  mm% 
cur'd,  Yet  a  Tympanites  is  what  moft 
naturally  follows  this  Diftemper  run- 
ning on  for  a  long  time,  either  un- 
der* a  Cure  or  when  there  is  not  any 
Cure  attempted  :  and  therefore  a  Tym- 
panites is  the  Sort  moft  univerfally 
recorded  by  ancient  Phyficians  for  fol- 
lowing our  prefent  Diftemper.  A 
Tympanies  being  reputed  by  them  a 
Dropfy  wherein  Spirit  or  Air  is  con- 
tain'd  in  the  Cavity  of  the  Belly,  but 
littleHumour  or  Water,  and  in  which 
Diftemper  the  Belly  makes  a  Sound 
when  beat  upon;  Tho'  a  Tympanites 
is  more  properly  a  Diftention  of  the 
Peritoneum^  and  of  the  Mufcles  of  the 
Abdomen  without  any  Water  contaiil'd 
in  it's  Cavity.  So  that  the  Caufe 
they  aflign  is  falfe,  and  is  rather  ow- 
ing to  an  Inflammation  of  the  Peri- 
toneum and  Mufcles  of  the  Abdomen i 
and  often  of  the  Guts  themfelves.  And 
therefore  it  is  evident  that  in  a  Li- 
entery  and  Cctliack  Paffion,  which  are 
produc'd  by  ftimulating  Caufes,  the 
Guts  and  other  Parts  may  be  inflanVd 
on  the  fame  account ;  and  this  In- 
L  2  flatrimatiori 


148         Of  a  Lientery 

flammation  making  a  Diftention  of 
thofe  Parts  will  produce  likewife  a 
Tympanites,  as  Experience  informs  us. 

And.  the     §.  XIX.  Now  the  Guts  being  thu< 
Jaundies.  diftended,  and  indeed  full  of  Air,  £h| 
the  Air  is  not  the  Caufe  of  their  Di- 
ftention, will  comprefe  the  Liver  an( 
Neck  of  the  Gall-Bladder :  But  by 
this  Compreffion  the  Secretion  of  Gall 
is  hindred,  and  its  Derivation  into 
the  Duodenum  obftrufted  ;  which  is 
likewife  an  Impediment  to  this  Sepa- 
ration of  Gall  from  the  Blood.  No^ 
the  Gall  floating  in  the  Blood  am 
not  difcharg'd  out  of  it  at  the  Liver, 
gives  its  Colour  in  all  the  Capillar; 
VefTels,  or  we  appear  yellow  and  ii 
of  the  Jaundies;  that  Difeafe  bein[ 
nothing  befides  this  Defeft  of  Sepa- 
ration of  Gall  in  the  Liver,  and  this 
-Interruption  of  Conveyance  into  th( 
Inteftines.    Wherefore  it  is  evident 
how  we  come  to  have  the  Jaundies 
in  a  Lientery  and  CceUack  Affection* 
This  fuppos'd  Compreffion  of  the  Li- 
ver and  of  the  Neck  of  the  Gall- 
Bladder  by  the  Inteftines  will  eafil; 
be  allowed,  if  we  refled  a  little 

the 


md  Goeliack  Affe6Hon. 

the  Nearnefs  of  thefe  Parts  to  one 
another.  For  the  Pilorus,  the  Duode- 
num^ and  a  Part  of  the  Colon  and  Je- 
junum, lie  under  its  concave  Side,  and 
the  Colon  touches  the  Gall-Bladder  it 
felf. 

§.  XX.  Likewife,  if  we  confider  the  old  Pea. 
Caufes  which  produce  a  Lientery  and 
Cceliack  Ajfetfion  we  fliall  eafily  ap-  ceury™f 
prehend  how  they  prove  more  dan-  thisDi- 
gerous  to  Old  People,  efpecially  thofe  ftemPer- 
that  have  been  long  ill  of  a  Dyfentery 
before:  Not  only  that  Old  Age  it 
felf  is  a  Difficulty  in  curing  every 
Diftemper,  but  alfo  becaufe  Old  Peo- 
ple are  more  particularly  fubjeQ:  to 
Loofneffes,  as  was  already  fhewn. 
Now  a  Perfon  that  is  taken  ill  of  a 
Lientery,  and  naturally  difpos'd  to 
fome  other  Loofnefs,  mull:  fare  worfe 
in  that  Lientery  than  another  in  the 
fame  Difeafe  not  fo  difposM,  becaufe 
of  what  is  faid  in  Corol.  I.  of  the 
Dtarrhcea.  Wherefore  it  follows  that 
Old  People  ill  of  a  Lientery  and  O- 
liack  Jffettion  are  cur'd  with  great 
Difficulty  or  very  feldom. 


L  5         §.  XXI.  On 


*  $°         Qf  a  Lientery 

Young  §.  XXI.  On  the  contrary,  as  Young 
morelea-  Pe°ple  are  not  fubjeft:  to  LoofnelTes 
fiiycur'd.  naturally,  neither  are  they  to  a  Li- 
entery, which  is  not  fo  common  but 
oftner  follows  upon  fome  other  Loof- 
nefs.  Wherefore  Young  People,  ill  of 
a  Lientery,  and  that  have  it  more 
from  fome  external  Caufe,  than  any 
thing  in  themfelves  which  difpofes 
them  to  it,  are  more  eafily  cur'd. 
Moreover,  Young  People  are  fome- 
times  ill  of  a  Lientery  or  a  Cceliack 
Affection  upon  the  account  of  their 
Stomach  and  Inteftines  being  Simu- 
lated with  Worms;  which  Irritation 
being  more  eafily  curM,  neither  is  their 
Lientery  and  Cceliack  Affection  of  any 
continuance,  nor  hard  to  be  cur'd,  as 
obfervM. 

lhreisdan'  §.  XXII.  This  Obfervat/onofjF//>- 
great  focrates  confifting  of  many  Parts,  it  is 
when  neceffary  to  recite  the  PafTage  at  length 
Crade     m  order  to  explain  the  Particulars 


He  fays ,  If  that  which  is  voided, 
very    Crude,    Black,  or   Light,  or  of 
an  ill  Smell,  thefe   Lientenes,  are  of 
an  ill  Sort :   For  they  caufe  Drought 
neither  does  the  Urine  made   at  that 


time 


and  Coeliack  AfFe&ion. 


time  bear  any  proportion  to  our  Drin- 
king ;  they  make  Vlcers  in  the  Mouth, 
a  Swelling  of  the  face,  and  an  Eiyfi- 
pelas ;  their  Belly  is  [oft,  dirty,  and 
wrinkled^  By  this  Dijeafe  People  lofe 
their  Appetite,  are  unable  to  walk,  and 
rendred  unjit  for  other  Offices  of 
Life. 

Now  the  Reafon  of  this  Obferva- 
tion  will  eafily  appear,  if  we  confi- 
der  a  little  what  is  already  faid  about 
a  Lientery  and  a  C^liack  Affection : 
•That,  in  the  one,  the  Food  is  pail: 
without  any  great  Change  towards 
Conco&ion ;  and  in  the  other,  the 
Conco&ion  is  fufficiently  performed, 
but  the  Chyle  is  thrown  off  without 
any  confiderable  Quantity  of  it  en- 
tring  -the  La&eals.  And  therefore 
when  the  Food  is  not  throughly  con- 
co£ted,  but  is  very  near  being  reduc'd 
into  Chyle,  In  that  cafe  the  whole 
Mafs  is  indigefted,  light,  and  black,  or 
of  other  Colours,  according  to  the  De- 
gree of  Conco&ion  the  Food  had  ac- 
quired, and  the  Nature  of  the  Ali- 
ment which  was  concocted.  This 
very  properly  reprefents  Ox-Dung  in 
its  Look  as  Jodocus  Lommius  well  ob- 
L  4  ferves : 


Of  a  Lientery 

ferves  :  and  is  truly  a  middle  State  of 
Conco&ion  between  the  two  Extremes 

in  a  Lientery  and  a  Cceliack  Affettion. 

From  this  Phenomenon  of  a  Liente- 
ria  (a)  Projper  Martianus  would  infer, 
That  the  EJfence  of  a  Lientery  did  not 
confifl  in  the  food  remaining  altogether 
in  its  frfl  Condition  without  any  Change  , 
fince  Hippocrates  fays  black  and  fatid 
Stools  are  voided :  and  therefore  he  con- 
jectures that  the  EJfence  of  a  Lientery 
rather  confifls  in  the  Corruption  of  the 
Foody  by  which  it  becoming  /harper  ex- 
cites  Nature  to  a  quick  Expulfwny  whe- 
ther this  Corruption  arifes  becaufe  of  its 
.  not  being  digefled  upon  account  of  an  Em- 
cefs  of  Heat  in  the  Stomach  and  its  aboun- 
ding with  Humidity y  or  from  its  immo- 
derate Heat  onlyy  or  any  other  Caufe  be- 
fore the  Food  acquires  the  Change  that 
naturally  difpofes  it  for  Concoction '7  for 
however  that  happens  it  is  flill  to  be 
calPd  a  Lientery.  But  this  Obferva- 
tion  of  Martianus  is  a  Nicety  not  fuf- 
Hciently  eftablifh'd :  for  he  requires 
only  that  the  kind  of  Aliment  may 


{•0  Praedi&ion.  Hip..  Lib.  2  n.  31  edit.  Rom.  p.  $17* 


and  Coeliack  Affe&ion.  153 

be  difcern'd  in  .the  Stools ;  as  is  ne- 
ceffary  by  the  general  Account  of  this 
Difeafe.  So  that  this  Cafe  is  neither 
a  perfeft  Lientery,  nor  abfolutely  a 
Cceliack  Pa/fion,  but  a  Concoftion  be- 
tween both.  As  to  the  Confequences 
he  alledges  attend  his  more  pure  Li- 
entery, 'tis  certain  they  are  not  pecu- 
liar to  thefe  Stools,  nor  do  I  find  that 
Hippocrates  thought  them  fo :  and  the 
following  Part  of  this  Explanation  will 
evince  that  they  are  but  what  com- 
monly happen  when  a  Lientery  has 
continued  on  any  one  for  a  confide- 
rable  time  ;  Let  us  then  proceed 
in  the  next  Place  to  take  a  farther 
View  of  the  Progrefs  of  a  Lientery, 
in  examining  the  Reafons  of  the 
other  Symptoms  that  follow  upon  the 
Continuation  of  this  Difeafe. 

§.  XXIII.  Firft ;  People  thus  ill  of  Drought, 
a  Lientery  are  Dry.  Drought  is  known 
to  be  an  Affeftion  of  our  Taft,  when 
its  Organ  is  in  due  Circumftances,  but 
not  bedew'd  with  its  ordinary  Liquor, 
the  Spittle ;  or  that  it  is  much  impreg- 
nated with  Parts  of  a  Salt  Analo- 
gous 


i  $4-         Of  a  Lientery 

gous  to  Sea-Salt.  Now  in  a  Lientery 
and  Cceliack  Affeffion  the  Meat  and 
Drink  patTes  into  the  Blood  in  a  moft 
inconfiderable  Quantity,  whereby  the 
Serum  and  Lymph  a  of  the  Blood  is  not 
recruited  ;  and  by  this  Defeft  of  Lym- 
pba  in  the  Blood  the  Secretion  of  Spit- 
tle is  lefs :  And  therefore,  Jin  this  de- 
fective Secretion  of  Spittle  by  a  Lien- 
teria,  the  Tongue  and  Palate  are  not 
fufficiently  moilten'd  with  Spittle  ;  or 
in  time  of  a  Lientery  there  is  Drought, 
Moreover,  it  is  well  and  commonly 
known  that  in  Humane  Blood,  there 
is  a  Quantity  of  Salt  like  Sea-Salt : 
Now  whether  the  Quantity  of  this 
Salt  is  augmented  in  a  Lientery^  or 
that  its  natural  Quantity  is  not  di- 
luted becaufe  of  the  Difcharge  of  Se- 
rum in  this  Loofnefs,  or  that  it  is  not 
recruited  by  our  Drink,  In  any  of 
thefe  cafes,  the  Spittle  that  happens 
to  be  feparated,  is  more  impregnated 
with  Salt,  and  occafions  Drought,  as 
before. 

jgS     §.  XXIV.  After  the  fame  manner, 
portiona-  the  Urine  being  a  Separation  from  th 
bie _  to  the  Blood  that  bears  a  certain  Proportion 

Drink.  r 


and  Coeliack  Affection.  i££ 

to  the  Quantity  and  Fluidity  of  it, 
as  alfo  to  the  Quantity  we  drink, 
when  the  Blood  is  in  its  natural  State, 
'tis  manifeft  that  if  the  Conveyance  of 
Drink  be  interrupted  the  Quantity  of 
Urine  muft  be  lefs,  and  that  becaufe 
no  confiderable  Part  of  the  Drink  is 
fent  into  the  Blood :  Wherefore,  in 
a  Lientery,  the  Water  bears  no  pro- 
portion to  the  Drink.  But  if  a  Quan- 
tity of  Serum  voided  out  of  the  Blood 
is  fuppos'd  to  contribute  to  this  Loof- 
nefs,  the  Quantity  of  Urine  will  ftill 
be  lefs. 


§.  XXV.   'Tis   Upon    this    aCCOUnt  There  are 

of  Indigeftion  thefe  Ulcers  are  pro-  S^JJJ^ 
due'd:  lor  tho'  they,  or  a  Thrufh,are  They  are' 
more  common  in  fucking  Children 
whofe  Milk  is  corrupted,  and  are  trou-  ™  Eyfi* 
bled  with  Gripes ,  yet  the  PapilU  of  pehs. 
the  Tongue  and  the  Glands  of  the 
Pharynx  &rc.  are  fwell'd  in  Older  Peo- 
ple of  an  ill  Habit  of  Body ;  from 
whence  comes  that  whitifh  Appearance 
a  Thrulh,  or  little  Ulcers.  Moreover, 
the  Blood  being  grofs,  and  the  whole 
Mafs  deprav'd^  in  Quantity  and  Qua- 


i$<5         Of  a  Lientery 

lity  flows  flowly  in  the  Veffels 
of  the  extreme  Parts,  and  by  this 
Stoppage  extends  their  V effels.  Now 
the  Veffels  being  filPd  with  a  crude 
and  weak  fizie  Blood,  occafion  a  tal- 
lowifh  and  cedematifh  Swelling  ;  which 
kind  of  Appearance  gives  a  fickly  or 
bloated  Look But  if  this  Obflxuction 
is  in  more  fuperficial  Veffels,  the  Co- 
lour of  the  Blood  will  likewife  appear, 
and  the  Face  become  red,  or  they  have 
an  Erjfepelas.  Wherefore  it  is  evident, 
why  a  bloated  Countenance  and  Aph- 
tha happen  to  People  that  are  long  ill 
of  a  Lientery  or  a  Cccliack  Affetfion. 

And  their     ^  XXVI.  Thefe  Symptoms  of  a 
foftjdfrty,  foft,  dirty,  and  wrinkled  Belly  are  no 
and\vrin-  more  the  Confequence  of  thefe  Light 
kkd      and  Ox-dung  Excrements  than  the 
former,  but  more  truly  the  Effects  of 
a  lafting  Lientery.    For  the  Nourifh- 
ment  being  carry'd  in  a  fmall  and 
inconfiderable  Quantity  into  the  Blood, 
and  the  Evacuation  by  Tranfpiration 
being  very  fmall,  however  confiderable 
that  may  be  which  is  into  the  Inte- 
ftins,  the  Belly  will  be  dirty  and  wrink- 
led ;  becaufe  both  by  Siis  Evacuation 


and  Coeliack  Affection.  i 

and  defe&ive  Supply,  the  Quantity  of 
Liquors  grow  lefs  and  lefs  every  Day. 
Now  if  this  fmall  Quantity  is  fuppos'd 
ftill  to  be  fluid  enough  to  be  driven 
thorow  the  Veffels  without  ob (tru- 
sting, yet  it  is  certain  thefe  VelTels 
are  not  fo  full  as  natural ;  and  becaufe 
of  this  Decay  of  Liquors  in  the  Veffels 
and  that  they  are  not  extended  as 
naturally,  the  Parts  will  be  lanker  and 
thinner  than  ordinary.    But  as  the 
Belly  is  likewife  a  yielding  Part,  and 
has  no  Bony  nor  Cartilaginous  Sijb- 
ftance,  and  is  only  made  up  of  the 
Mufcles  of  the  Abdomen,  and  of  the 
Membranous  Subftance  of  the  Perito- 
neum,  fo  the  Veffels  of  the  Belly 
having  a  fmaller  Quantity  of  circu- 
lating Liquors  are  lefs  extended  ;  and 
the  Belly  it  felf  is  foft.  Moreover, 
when  by  this  fmaller  Quantity  of 
Blood  and  its  other  defective  Qualities, 
the  Quantity  of  Perfpiration  is  ex- 
tremely impaired,  the   Scarf-Skin  is 
alfo  not  moiften'd  :  But  becaufe  of 
thisDfynefs  of  the  Scarf-Skin  it  looks 
wrinkled  and  dirty.    And  therefore 
in    a  Lientery    or    Cceliack    Paffion  , 
the  Quantity  and  Force  of  Blood 

are 


1^8  Of  a  Lientery 

are  deftroy'd,  and  that  by  the  Con- 
tinuance of  this  Difeafe ;  and  it  being 
by  this  extreme  Decay  of  its  Strength 
that  the  Tranfpiration  likewife  faite, 
this  Softnefs  of  the  Skin  and  Dirtinefs 
of  the  Belly  is  a  fatal  Sign :  arid  there- 
fore it  is  no  wonder  that  Men  in 
that  Condition,  are  rendered  unfit  to 
walk,  or  for  other  Offices  of  Life,  as 
Hippocrates  obferves;  and  that  they 
are  frequently  Signs  of  an  approaching 
Death. 

haPh?ve  X*VIL  It:  has  alfo  been  an  0& 
Jfcarile*  fervation  of  Hippocrates,  that  People 
turn  drop-  who  have  been  long  ill  of  a  Lientery 
fica1,  and  have  voided  Jfcarides,  and  have 
been  much  gripM,  do  commonly  fwell 
or  become  Dropfical,  when  thofe  Sym- 
toms  have  gone  off.  How  fuch  as 
have  been  much  gripM  commonly 
end  in  a  Tympanias,  has  been  already 
fhewn.  As  for  Jfcarides,  the?  they 
are  Worms  to  which  all  Animals  of 
a  larger  Size,  efpecially  fuch  as  live 
upon  Flefh,  are  fubjea  to,  yet  we 
find  that  they  are  beft  cherifh'd  in 
great  Indigeftions,  and  when  the  Food 
does  corrupt.   Now  in  a  Lientery -,and 


and  Coeliack  Affedlion.'    1 59 

a  Cosliack  Affection  there  being  great 
Corruption  of  our  Aliment,  it  is  ve- 
ry manifeft  why  we  have  thefe  Worms 
in  great  abundance  in  this  Difeafe. 
But  that  a  Dropfy  of  any  kind  fhould 
follow  upon  our  having  them  is  not 
fo  neceffary.    It  might   indeed  be 
cafily  fhewn  how  an  Anafarca,  or  Af- 
cites,  might  readily  follow  upon  the 
ill  State  of  Blood  of  thofe  long  ill  of 
I  a  Lientery  :  and  I  do  not  queftion  this 
has  given  occafion  to  make  the  Ob- 
fervation,  and  is  a  far  more  probable 
iCaufe,  and  ought  therefore  to  be  em- 
ibrac'd  as  fuch;  tho'  the  Probability 
of  this  Caufe  of  Afcarides  were  grea- 
ter than  it  is  at  prefent. 

§.  XXVIII.  Hippocrates  fays  that  a  A  difficult 
Lientery  with  a  Difficulty  of  Breathing  ^brc^J 
inclines  People  to  have  a  Confum-  11  S# 
ption.    A  Difficulty  of  Breathing  is 
occafion'd  many  ways  in  this  Difeafe. 
For,  when  the  Guts  happen  to  be  di- 
ftended  in  the  mentioned  manner,  the 
Diaphragm*  is  prefs'd  upwards  more 
into  the  Thorax  and  the  Conftri&ion 
of  the  Ribs  impeded,  by  which  the 
Infpiration  of  Air  and  its  Expiration 

are 


1 60         Of  a  Lientery 

are  interrupted  :  and  as  thefe  two 
A&ions  conftitute  our  Refpiration  or 
Breathing,  fo  by  this  Diftention  of 
the  Guts  the  Breathing  becomes  dif- 
ficult.   Moreover,  the  Blood  is  alfo 
thicker,  and  has  fewer  Spirits  in  cafe 
of  a  Lientery :  But  by  this  thicknefs  of 
Blood,  the  leaft  refilling  Arteries  are 
fooneft  obftrufted  ;  and  as  thofe  of  the 
Lungs  are  of  that  Number,  the  Mo- 
tion of  the  Blood  is  fooneft  retarded, 
and  the  Arteries  in  the  Lungs  will 
be  fluffed  with  Blood.    Befides ,  if 
we  confider  that  the  Venal  Artery  is 
divided  into  a  great  number  of  Ra- 
mifications, for  ferving  the  great  Pur- 
pofes  of  Nature  in  time  of  Breathing, 
and  that  thefe  Branches  communicate 
with  the  Veins  by  very  fmall  Canals, 
fo  as  the  Blood  becomes  thicker  it 
will  pafs  thro7  them  with  greater  Diffi- 
culty into  the  left  Auricle  of  the  Heart. 
Now  when  a  Quantity  of  Blood  fills 
the  Veifels  of  the  Lungs  very  much, 
the  interlaid  Air-Bladders  are  much 
comprefs'd,    and   they   being  thus 
ftraiten'd  cannot  receive  the  due  Quan- 
tity of  Air  in  a  common  time;  or 
there  is  a  Defe£t  in  infpiring  a  due 

Quantity 


and  Coeliack  Affe&ion.  t6i 


Quantity  of  Air:  as  alfo  when  the 
Lungs  are  thus  ftuffed  with  Blood, 
they  are  not  eafily  comprefs'd  by  the 
Ribs,  and  this  Air  not  eafily  expelPd ; 
fo  the  whole  Aftion  of  Reipiration  is 
hurt,  and  therefore  it  is  evident  how 
in  a  Lientery  the  Refpiratidn  is  diffi- 
cult. But  befides,  this  Difficulty  of 
Breathing  diffofes  fuch  as  are  ill  of  a 
Lientery  to  be  Confumptive*  This  like- 
wife  is  evident :  For  by  this  groffer 
Blood  the  Glands  of  the  Lungs  are 
obftrutted,  and  according  to  the  Na- 
ture of  Blood  thefe  obftructed  Glands 
will  be  Tubercle*,  AbfceiTes,  &c»  in 
the  Lungs,  all  of  which  conftitute  a 
true  Phthifis  or  Confumption.  And 
therefore  we  may  eafily  underftand 
how  a  Lientery^  join'd  with  a  Diffi- 
culty in  Breathing,  incline  People  to 
be  Confumptive. 

§.  XXIX.  After  all  this,  it  is  ma-  J>ath, 
nifeft  how  Death  may  follow  upon 
this  Diltemper  after  fome  time  Con- 
tinuance :  tor  by  it  the  Quantity  of 
Blood  is  leifenM  till  there  is  no  Cir- 
culation ;  their  Blood  becomes  lb  grofs 
as  to  produce  a  total  Obftru&ion.} 
M  and 


1 62  Of  a  Lientery 

and  fundry  Difeafes,  as  Dropfiesy 
Jaundies,  and  Confumptions,  are  for- 
med, and  by  them  Death  may  hap* 
pen  in  all  the  Forms  of  thofe  Dif- 
eafes* 

z  ™f  a     §.  XXX.  From  what  has  been  faid, 
&c.  are.  'tis  evident  That  a  Lientery  and  a  Cos- 
liack  Paffion  are  a  quick  Difcharge  0 
rvhat  rve  eat  or  drink,  either  very  little 
alter* d,  or  under  the  form  of  Chyle,  0 
in  a  Subflance  between  both,  and  all  upo 
the  account  of  the  mentioned  Caufes. 

The  Pro-  ^  XXXI.  As  the  Prognofticks,  in  any 
gno  icks.  j)ifl-emper?  are  a  compleat  Confidera- 
tion  of  the  Power  of  that  Difeafe  and 
of  the  Strength  of  the  Medicines 
whereby  it  is  to  be  remov'd ;  and  as 
we  have  but  a  moderate  Knowledge 
of  the  pofitive  Power  of  the  Medi- 
cines we  employ  ;  it  happens  that  our 
Predictions  about  the  Event  are  ve- 
ry uncertain.  The  Inquiry  into  the 
Nature  and  Operation  of  Medicines 
is  no  Part  of  our  prefent  Subject, 
and  they  come  no  otherwife  under 
our  Confideration,  but  as  they  feem 
to-  be  ufeful  upon  fome  fenfible  Ope- 
ration 


and  Coeliack  AfFe&ion. 


ration  they  commonly  have.  Where- 
fore, it  muft  fatisfie  us  to  draw  lbme 
Confequences  from  the  foregoing  Doc- 
trine, which  may  ferve  us  to  very 
good  Purpofes  in  foreknowing  the 
Fate  of  this  Diftemper,  as  was  already 
done  when  we  treated  of  a  Diarrhaa. 
But  as  thefe  Confequences  were  for- 
merly drawn  from  the  Caufes  of  the 
Difeafe,  and  Obfervation  proving  ex- 
treamly  defe&ive  in  marking  out  to 
us  the  Caufes  of  this  Difeafe,  the  Co- 
rollaries will  not  be  altogether  fo  ob- 
vious as  the  former. 

Firjlj  in  general  therefore  it  is  evi- 
dent, that  as  the  Caufes  of  a  Limtery 
and  of  a  Cccliack  AjjeBion  are  more 
in  the  Body  than  thole  of  a  Diarrhea, 
it  is  alfo  more  hard  to  be  cur'd. 

Secondly,  Indigeftion,  Afcarides,  or 
any  other  Worms,  are  more  eafily  cur- 
ed than  when  a  Lientery  proceeds 
from  an  Inflammation  in  the  Stomach 
or  Guts,  or  when  they  are  exulcera- 
ted. 

Thirdly,  Its  Eafinefs  or  Difficulty 
to  be  cur'd,  when  this  Difeafe  fol- 
lows a  Diarrhea  or  a  Dyfentery,  is  ea- 
iily  known  by  comparing  what  is  ai- 
M  2  ready 


Of  a  Lientery 

ready  faid  of  the  one  and  what  fol- 
lows of  the  other  with  the  prefent 
Condition  of  the  fick  Perfon. 

Fourthly  r  If  a  Tympany  follows- up- 
on- a  Lientery  or  a>  Cccliack  Affection, 
they  are  hard  to  be  cur'd  :  But  ftill 
with  more  Difficulty  if  there  is  a 
Confumption  or  Jaundies- 

The  cure  XXXII.  Ir  was  formerly  obfcrv'd 
ferj&Q*~  m  Cure  of  a  Diarrb&a,  that  fcarce 
any  Method  has  been  left  unattemp- 
ted  that  ever  was  try'd  for  the  Cure 
of  any  other  Diftemper.  But  here 
our  Complaint  is  of  the  Scarcity  of 
Methods  and  Medicines  for  the  Cure 
of  this.  Celfu*  us'd  to  obferve  that 
many  Methods  for  a  Difeafe  fhew'd 
the  Difficulty  of  its  Cure:  and  by 
the  fame  Rule,  this*  ought  to  be  molt 
eafily  cur'd,  becaufe  the  Methods  and 
Remedies  are  very  few.  But  as  this 
Difeafe  is  not  eafily  cur'd,  but  often 
proves  very  dangerous  I  will  relate 
the  Maxims  for  curing  that  are  found 
among  Authors-;  and  then  explain 
them  in  fuch  a  manner  as  we  may 
difcern  the  utmoft  Advantage  that 
may  arife  from  their  Pra&ice )  after 


and  Coeliack  Affe6Hon.  i 


•this  I  will  propofe  other  Methods 
that  eafily  flow,  and  are  proper  In- 
dications and  Confequences  from  what 
is  now  faid  about  the  Nature  of  the 
Difeafe.  This  Method  is  of  it  felf 
moft  genuine,  and  in  this  way  we 
propofe  always  the  beft  Methods  for 
Cure :  which  is  far  lefs  apt  to  miflead 
us  than  by  confidering  Caufes,  efpe- 
cially  fuch  as  are  remote.  As  for  the 
Indications  of  the  Ancients  which 
regard  the  Slime  and  Cicatrices  as  the 
Elfence  of  thefe  Difeafes,  they  muft 
foe  falfe  by  what  is  faid  and  fhall  here- 
after be  ihewn,  fince  the  Slipperinefs 
and  Cicatrices  are  Suppofitions  very 
weak  and  inconfiftent. 

Thefe  Maxims  have  been  taken 
from  what  Hippocrates  has  faid  of  this 
Difeafe.  They  require  curing,  fays 
he,  till  the  Urine  bears  fome  propor- 
tion to  what  is  drank,  and  the 
Body  is  affe&ed  (or  is  nourifhM) 
with  the  Food  we  take,  and  the 
Skin  begins  to  look  lively  and  has 
put  off  its  dirty  Colour.  The  firft, 
is  the  fame  mentioned  before  in  the 
Cure  of  a  Diarrhcea. 


His 


1 66  Of  a  Lientery 

His  next  Hint  is  (a)  That  in  Li- 
enterus  of  a  long  Standing  if  fowr 
Belchings  come  after  that  were  not 
before,  as  happened  to  Demegeta^  it  is 
a  hopeful  Sign.  But  we  may  perhaps 
procure  them  by  Art :  For  fuch  like 
Difturbances  make  a  mighty  Change 
in  the  former  Condition ;  nay,  very 
probably  thefe  fowr  Belchings  cure  a 
Lientery.  But  here  he  gives  us  a 
Caution  againft  Vomiting,  a  Method 
he  fo  mightily  valu'd'in  the  Cafe  of 
a  Diarrhea,  (b)  'Tis  very  ill,  fays  he, 
for  one  fick  of  a  Lientery  in  the 
Winter,  to  take  a  Vomit. 

ticks!"4*"  §•  XXXIII.  Now  to  give  my  Opi- 
nion of  thefe  few  mentioned  Maxims, 
and  to  begin  with  the  laft  Part  of 
what  he  firft  mentions,  it  is  evident 
from  the  Nature  of  this  Difeafe,  as 
has  been  lately  explained,  that  we 
are  in  a  way  of  doing  well  when  we 
look  lively,  and  the  Urine  is  in  a 
oatubi  Proportion  to  what  we  drink. 
This  better  Look  informs  us  that  our 
Aliment  is  concocted  and  paffes  into 

the 

foO  Lib.  s.  Epid,  Sett,  a.  &aph.  Sctf.  6.  (b)  Aph. 
3  2,  Sea,  4. 


and  Coeliack  Affedtion. 


the  Lacteals,  and  by  them  into  the 
Blood,  and  is  turn'd  to  Nourifhment, 
which  is  the  Cure  of  the  Difeafe : 
but  we  are  not  able  to  frame  any 
Method  how  this  Digeftion  fliall  be 
brought  about,  and  how  the  Chyle 
of  this  conco&ed  Aliment  may  be 
convey 'd  into  the  Blood.  Phyficians 
have  always  endeavoured,  from  this 
Indication  of  Hippocrates,  to  procure 
a  due  Quantity  of  Urine,  and  have 
eftablifh'd  Diuretical  Medicines  as  the 
moft  proper  and  univerfal  Cures  of 
this  Diftemper.  What  their  Power 
may  be  to  cure  a  Diarrhea  has  been 
confider'd  in  its  proper  Place :  and  as 
far  as  a  Diarrh&a  remains  uncur'd 
and  is  the  Caufe  of  a  Lient?ry  or  of  a 
Coeliack  Affection,  fo  far  may  Diureti- 
cal Medicines  prove  ufeful.  But  in  a 
true  Lientery,  according  to  the  No- 
tion of  the  Ancients,  it  is  impoflible 
for  a  Diuretical,  or  any  other  Medi- 
cine, to  pafs  into  the  Blood  :  and  it 
would  certainly  prove  hurtful  if  it 
could ;  for  by  this  greater  difcharge 
of  Urine,  when  the  Blood  receives 
no  Supply,  the  Wafting  is  hurried 
on,  and  Obftruclions  occafion'd  by  the 
M  4  Blood 


Of  a  Lientery 

Blood  being  groffer,  and  that  by  a 
Diicharge  of  its  moft   liquid  Parts 
now  feparated  by  the  Power  of  a  Di- 
uretical Medicine.    So  that  making 
more  water  in  time  of  a  Lientery  may 
be  a  good  Sign  upon  the  mentioned 
accounts :  yet  the  giving  -Diuretical 
Medicines  to  procure  this  Effeft,  is 
to  no  manner  of  purpofe  upon  any 
Notion  of  a  Lientery,  and  muft  prove 
fatal  if  they  Ihould  fucceed.  Where- 
fore we  may  conclude,  that  as  this 
Sign  is  promifing  when  a  greater 
Quantity  of  Urine  is  made  by  a  fick 
Perfon,  becaufe  of  his  being  better 
nourifh'd,  fo  Authors  have  been  im- 
posed upon,  when  they  belie v'd  this 
Quantity  of  Urine,  this  Nourifhment, 
and  other  good  Symptoms,  were  the 
Confequences  o;f  their  Diuretical  Me- 
dicines.   This  is  ftilj  more  plain,  if 
we  confider  that  Diuretical  Medi- 
cines are,  by  no  means,  proper  to  re- 
move any  of  the  Caufes  of  this  Di- 
ftemper :  On  the  contrary,  they  are 
the  moft  improper  to  create  an  Apr 
petite,  to  heal  a  Phlegmon,  to  kill 
Worms,  Jfcarides  or  any  other,  and 
are  more  likely  to  form  than  cure 

fuch 


and  Coeliack  Affedion.  169 

fuch  a  Difeafe.  Now  as  Diuretical 
Medicines  could  never  make  a  Cure 
of  a  Lientery  or  of  a  Caliack  Affection, 
Phyficians  had  profited  us  more  if 
they  had  difcover'd  the  other  Me- 
thods they  us'd  together  with  them  ; 
whether  thefe  Means  were  by  Phar- 
macy or  Food  :  fince  there  is  nothing 
more  certain  than  that  they  have  been 
egregioufly  impos'd  upon  in  the  pre- 
fent  Cafe. 

§.  XXXIV.  The  other  Obfervation  SourBci- 
of  four  Belchings,  is  deliver'd  very  chins< 
cautioufly,  and  as  an  Obfervation  he 
had  only  made  on  one  Perfon,  and 
therefore  may  be  of  ufe,and  to  be  imita- 
ted and  procured :  or  perhaps  it  was  a 
meer  Accident  only  and  might  lofe  us 
much  time  in  the  Attempt.  It  is  proper 
therefore  to  inquire  more  particular- 
ly into  this  Affair.  Now  as  Belching 
is  an  Eruption  from  the  Stomach  made 
by  Meat  or  Drink  that  is  fermenta- 
tive in  its  own  Nature,  or  of  other 
Foods  when  they  do  not  orderly  di- 
geft,  it  is  therefore  manifeft  that  ha- 
ving four  Beichings,  efpecially  when 
we  have  eaten  what  does  not  cafily 

ferment 


i  jo         Of  a  Lientery 


ferment,  is  a  very  good  Sign,  becaufc 
it  imports  and  fhows  us  that  the 
Food  is  more  liquid  and  may  be  fer- 
mented, and  that  confequently  it  has 
undergone  ibme  degree  of  Conco&ion: 
and  every  Degree  of  Concoftion  in  a 
Lientery  gives  us  hopes  of  a  Recove- 
ry as  is  the  Hint  of  Hippocrates.  The 
proper  Attempt  from  this  Obferva- 
tion,  towards  the  Cure  of  this  Di- 
ftemper,  is  to  endeavour  to  procure  Con- 
coction :  and  as  that  may  be  interrup- 
ted by  other  Caufes  of  a  Loofnefs, 
which  may  be  difcoverM  by  their 
Symptoms,  it  muft  be  procured  by 
proper  Means  given  at  the  fame  time, 
and  fit  for  that  Purpofe  of  removing 
the  ftimulating  Caufe. 

Vomiting  §.  XXXV.  Hippocrates  obferves  that 
in,cfpe-    jt  iS  jjj  for  fuc}1  as  are  (]CJ^  Qf  a  JJ„ 

Winter,  entery  to  take  a  Vomit  in  the  Winter. 
We  find  here  a  very  material  Diffe- 
rence made  in  the  Cure  of  a  Diarrhoea, 
and  of  a  Lientery.  Nothing  was 
fo  good  as  Vomiting  in  the  firft, 
and  nothing  fo  pernicious  in  this 
but  efpecially  in  the  Winter.  Now 
as  all  thele  Practices  of  Hippocra- 
tes 


and  Coeliack  Affection. 


tes  in  this  Difeafe,  feem  to  be  Try- 
als  of  what  is  ufeful,  but  \yhat  have 
no  relation  to  his  foregoing  Opinion 
about  its  Caufes,  we  may  not  doubj; 
but  that  he  has  found  Vomiting  hurt- 
ful in  this  Diftemper,  which  he  cer- 
tainly try'd  with  great  Expectation 
of  Succefs  founded  on  the  Good  it 
does  in  a  Diarrbcea.  But  from  what 
has  been  faid,  difcourfing  on  the  Na- 
ture of  this  Difeafe  and  of  a  Dtar- 
rhcea,  it  eafily  follows  that  this  Hurt- 
fulnefs  of  Vomiting  muft  be  on  ac- 
count of  Simulating  Subftances  lodged 
there.  On  the  other  hand,  as  this 
Stimulating  is  fometimes  the  Effeft 
of  a  Phlegmon,  Thrufhes,  or  Ulcers,  in 
the  Stomach,  no  doubt  but  a  Perfon 
ill  of  a  Lientery  under  thefe  Circum- 
ftances  muft  receive  great  Prejudice 
from  a  Vomit :  Becaufe  it  muft  in- 
creafe  all  thefe  Symptoms,  and  there- 
fore make  the  Diftemper  worfe.  But 
that  all  thefe  Confequences  fhould 
prove  ftill  more  hurtful  in  Winter, 
than  in  any  other  Seafon,  is  not  lb 
obvious  to  my  Reafon.  7Tis  not  im- 
probable that  this  Opinion  of  Hip- 
pocrates may  be  founded  on  another, 

that 


172  Of  a  Lientery 

that  the  Belly  of  a  Man  is  warmer 
in  Winter  than  in  Summer,  and  that, 
becaufe  of  a  Retreat  of  the  Heat  to- 
wards the  Heart,  which  Heat  poffeffes 
the  fuperficial  Parts  of  the  Body  in 
other  Seafons  :  So  that  thefe  hotter 
Stomachs  in  Winter  are  more  irrita- 
ted in  that  Seafon.  This  is  contrary 
to  Experience ;  for  whatfoever  may 
be  faid  of  the  Heat  thus  retiring,-  it 
is  certain  that  we  are  vomited  with 
a  fmaller  Dofe  of  fuch  Medicines  in 
Summer  than  in  Winter,  and  more 
fenfibiy  in  hot  than  in  cold  Coun- 
tries. 

Now  thefe  are  all  the  Hints  we 
find  fcatter'd  among  Authors  for  the 
Cure  of  this  Difeafe ;  which  we  may 
obferve  too  were  given  us  in  early 
times,  and  that  they  have  pafs'd  down 
to  this  without  any  confiderable  Im- 
provement. Thefe  alfo  are  not  very 
clear,  and  cannot  ferve  us  to  any  great 
purppfe  in  the  Practice ;  neither  is 
therdany  Method  delineated  for  what 
may  more  immediately  cure  the  O- 
liack  Affection.  Yet  from  the  fore- 
going Theory  it  may  be  reafonably 
concluded,  that  the  direft  Method  of 


and  Coeliack  Affe&ion. 


Cure  for  the  Diftemper  under  Confi- 
deration  mudt  confift  in  thefe  things. 

Firjl,  as  this  Difeafe  may  be  pro- 
duced by  fome  Remainder  of  a  Diar- 
rhwa  or  Dyfentery,  or  even  they  may 
not  be  quite  gone  when  we  have  thofe 
Signs  of  a  hientery  or  of  a  Cceliack  Af- 
fetfion,  it  is  certain  that  the  proper 
Methods  for  thofe  Difeafes  are  the 
moft  direct  for  curing  a  Ltentery  in 
fuch  Circumltances. 

Secondly,  when  the  Stomach  or  Guts 
appear  to  be  ftimulated,  and  a  Lten- 
tery produced  by  Animals,  Jfcarides  or 
other  Worms,  the  moft  dire£t  Me- 
thod of  Cure  in  this  cafe,  is  by  Me- 
dicines that  regard  the  killing  and 
carrying  off  fuch  Animals  with  a  pro- 
per regard  to  the  Loofnefs.  Among 
thofe?  the  Medicines  that  procure  the 
beft  Digeftion  are  the  molt  ufeful, 
and  under  that  head  may  be  compre- 
hended the  Method  Hippocrates  hin- 
ted to  us  from  fowr  Belching. 

Thirdly,  The  fame  Confederation 
muft  be  had  to  Lienterical  People 
that  have  this  Difeafe  occafion'd  by 
a  Phlegmon,  or  Ulcers  in  the  Stomach 
or  Guts;  h.  e.  the  chief  Defign  of  the 

Cure 


Of  a  Lientery 

Cure  muft  be  dire&ed  that  way: 
tho7  the  laft  of  thefe  two  is  often  in- 
curable. Be  that  how  it  will,  this 
appears  plainly  to  be  the  Method  of 
Cure,  and  no  doubt  what  Experience 
will  confirm.  The  Ancients,  and  other 
Phyficians  who  followed  them,  ha- 
ving no  Notions  of  this  Difeafe  but 
what  are  manifeftly  falfe,  and  it  being 
a  Diftemper  that  feldom  occurred,  they 
had  not  Opportunities  of  finding  their 
Errors,  not  fo  far  efpecially,  as  to  be 
able  to  mend  them,  or  to  fet  them 
on  a  better  Foot,  we  muft  not  won- 
der to  find  the  Pra&ice  they  recom- 
mend naked  and  unpromifing,  the 
Account  they  gave  of  the  Difeafe  be- 
ing fuch.  Notwithftanding  of  this 
We  will  next  proceed  to  the  Medi- 
cines found  on  the  Records  of  Phyfick, 
and  fhall  relate  fome  of  thofe  which 
former  Phyficians  either  found  beft  in 
their  Praftice,  or  mayfeem  moftlike 
to  have  Succefs  according  to  the  fore- 
going Theory.  But  let  it  here  be 
obferv'd  that  all  Indications  for  leffen- 
ing  the  ftimulating  Power  of  the 
Stomach  and  Inteftines,  as  in  the  Cure 
of  a  Diarrho?*)  are  exprefly  the  fame 


and  Coeliack  Affection.  175 

in  the  Cceliack  Affection.  And  now 
to  purfue  the  Method  of  this 
pifcourfe,  we  will  recite  the  Medi- 
cines, and  thereafter  add  two  or  three 
Cafes  that  have  occurred  to  me  in  my 
Pra&ice. 

XXXVI.  Radic.  Ctchor.  ?j.  TheMe. 
Ccq.  w  f.  q.  Aq.  ad  filb  fuiem  coc-  cines. 
tionis  adde  Comar.  Abjynth.  pugillum. 
Bu/l/anty  &  fervida  verjentur  Juper  Rad. 
Rhabarb.  Elect.  5j.  &  poft  debit  am  infuj'. 
F.  per  expreffionem  Colatura,  cui  adde 
Syrup.  Menth.  jf  ft.  Exlnbeatur  Potio 
cum  foil  to  regimwe. 

Sennertus  fays  that  Rhubarb  fteep'd 
with  Rofewater  is  a  Remedy  of  great 
Efficacy  in  this  Diftemper. 

Pulver.  Radic.  Jalap,  Rhabarb. 
Eleci.  a  3ft.  Nuc.  Mojchat.  toft.  & 
pulverat.  3j.  M.  f.  Pulver.  do}.  du#. 
Sum  at  unam  alter  no  mane* 

(a)  Petrus  For  eft  us  commends  very 
much  the  Powder  of  Hens  Gizards 

thrown 


0)  Obf.Med.Lib,i8.  Obf.  $a. 


Of  a  Lientery 

thrown  into  the  Drink  of  a  Perfon 
ill  of  a  Cooliack  Affection.  And  (a) 
alfo  the  following  Eleftuary  he  had 
often  try'd  for  a  Lientery,  which  had 
great  Praifes  already  from  Amatut  Lu- 
fitanus  and  Laz,.  River.  Sach.  Ro- 
far.  (they  Conf.)  §vj.  Theriac.  optiw. 
3vj.  Myv.  "Cydon.  q.  f.  Fiat  Opiata,  de 
qua  fmnat  3fi>;  maney  nihil  fuperbiben- 
do. 

(b)  In  others  of  his  Obfervations 
he  fays  that  he  cur'd  one  defperately 
ill  of  a  Lientery  with  the  Yolk  of  an 
Egg,  on  which  was  thrown  the  Pow- 
der of  a  whole  Nutmeg,  and  after- 
wards roalted  on  a  hot  Tile  or  Brick- 
bat. 

(c)  Galen  commends  thefe  Lozen- 
ges of  Beritim.  Nardi,  Croci,  u- 
triufque  3ij.  Myrrhx  Succ.  Hypocijiid. 
Ahi  Opiiy  Tragasantbi  Licii  Indie.  GalU, 
Anifi,  Acacu}  Piperis,  Rhu  Pontici, 
jingulorum  3).  Tragacanth.  in  vino 
macerato,  &  reliqua  trira  mifceto,  pafiiU 

lofque 


(a)  Lib.  22.  Obf.  25.  (6)  26,  27,  28.(0  Gahds 
©omp.  medicam.  Lib.  9.  fecundum  locos 


Cceliack  Affe6Hon, 


iofque  unim  drachma  for  mat  atq-7  ipfos 
e  vino  dato. 

5?.  Bezoartt  Lunar.  3ij.  Cinder.  An- 
timom  nativ.  a  3j.  Cajlor.  3  ft.  Lau- 
dan.  Opiat.  gran.  ij.  01.  Menth.  Cina- 
mom.  a  gut.  ij.  M.  f.  Quiver  urn  dofes  v. 
Cap.  unam  ter  in  diey  fuperbibendo  Aq. 
Cinamom.  fort.  5j. 

(a)  Riverius,  Rad.  Bijiort.  Tor- 
ment til.  &  cor  tic.  Citr.  ficc.  a  5ij.  fo- 
lior.  Menth.  Plantagin.  Abfynth.  Pontic^ 
a  M.  ).  Nuc.  My  chat.  Caryophjll.  & 
Cinamom.  R  3iij*  Rojar.  rubrar.  pug.'w, 
Contundanttir  &  wcidantur,  ut  artis  ejl^ 
eifque  impleantur  duo  facculi  wterpunttt^ 
qui  macerentur  in  aquis  partibus  Aqud 
ferrate  &  Vini  rubri  ajlringentis,  & 
applicentur  regioni  Ventriculi  calide  vi~ 
cijfim. 

(b)  Benedict  lis  Victor  Faventinm  Em- 
pyric.  values  this  Oyntment  very  much 
upon  his  own  Experience,  fy.  Oh 
Cajlor.  Lilior.  alb.  Ruta^Chetri^  a  Siij* 
Sue.  Artemif.    3iv.   aq.  ardent,  %vu 

N  Bulltant 


(A)  Lib,x.  cap.  ir.  {b)  Lib,  i.  cap.i;« 


Of  a  Lientery 

Bulliant  ad  confumptionem  aqu&y  tunc 
adde  Nigell.  Maftich.  Cardamom.  Galang. 
a  3jft.  Piper  it)  Caryopbyllor.  Nucis  Mofi 
chat*,  Xjloaloesy  a  3j*  Pulverifentury  & 
iterum  parumper  bulliant  cum  modtco 
cerdyf.  unguent  urn,  quo  locus  dolens  un- 
gatur  &  Una  fucctda  tepide  fuperponatur. 
Ex  ijlo  unguento  videbis  mirabilem  ef- 

As  thefe  Forms  of  Medicines  arey 
in  all  probability,  the  molt  likely  to 
be  of  the  beft  ufe  of  any  to  be  found 
among  Authors,  So  what  other  Me- 
dicines may  feem  necelfary  for  the 
Cure  of  a  Lientery  and  of  a  Cceliack 
Pajfiony  when  they  are  produced  by 
thofe  other  Caufes  lately  mention'd^ 
are  to  be  found    in  great  Abun- 
dance in  their  proper  Places,    For  in- 
ftance :   As  the  Cceliack  Affection  or 
Lientery  of  Children  proceeds  mof 
commonly  from  Worms,  the  Medi- 
cines that  mofb  effectually  deftroy 
them  felclom  fail  to  relieve  fuch  our 
Patients  from  this  Diftemper.  Thus 
it  is  in  other  Caufes  of  this  Difeafe 
I  fhall  therefore  proceed  to  give  fome 
Examples  of  the  Pra&ice,  and  that  in 

two 


jectum 


and  Coeliack  Affe&ion.  179 

two  or  three  Cafes,  that  I  have  met 
with. 

Mr.  Sjmcock,  who  had  been  long  Hiftory  i; 
ill  with  a  Pain  at  his  Stomach,  and 
had  commonly  five  or  fix  Stoois  a 
day,  was  at  length  taken  with  a 
mighty  Pain  in  his  Back  after  Meals, 
and  never  was  eafy  till  he  had  given 
an  Account  of  his  Food  commonly  indi- 
gefted  and  in  loofe  Stools.  He  was. 
dry,  and  did  not  niake  much  Water, 
and  what  he  did  was  of  a  high  Co- 
lour. I  was  calPd  to  him  in  January 
1698,  and  then  order'd  him  to  be  let 
eight  Ounces  of  Blood,  and  next 
Morning  to  drink  this  purging  Po- 
tion. 

Ifc.  Radic*  Rhabdrb.  Eletf.  5j„  Rtifftrl 
SantaL  rubr.  Cinamomi  acuti,  a  3j,  In- 
fundantur  claufa  &  calida  per  noffem 
in  decoBi  Tamarwdor.  5vj,  In  Colatura7 
mane  cum  expreffione  fatfa7  folve  Sjrupi 
de  dehor  io  cum  Rheo  Jft^  &  ad.de 
Spirit,  LavenduU  comp.  gut.  xij*  fi  po- 
tto cuut  regimine  propinanda, 

N  2  His 


1 80  Of  a  Lientery 

His  common  Drink,  at  the  times 
he  did  not  take  purging  Phyfick, 
was  the  white  Drink,  in  a  Quart 
whereof  were  boil'd  Galangal  and 
Tormentil  Roots,  of  each  two 
Drachmes.  Morning  and  Evening  he 
took  the  following  Bolus. 

9?.  Fulveris  Ari  compof.  3j.  Extr. 
Gentian,  q.  f.  ut  f.  Bol.  In  the  Day 
time  he  took  of  Mynfichtufs  Stomach- 
Drops.  He  continued  with  thefe  for 
fome  time,  but  finding  no  Relief  from 
them  I  order'd  him  the  following 
Electuary* 

Canferv.  Rof.  antique  §iij.  The- 
riac.  Andromach.  3iij.  Conferv.  Prunel- 
lor.  fylvejlr.  5  ft.  f.  EleBuar.  de  quo 
capiat  magnitudin.  Nuc.  Mofchata  ma- 
jor, hk  in  die y  fuperbibendo  Vini  feq. 
medicati  Cochlearia  iv. 

5?.  Radic.  Helen.  Ra-phw.  Armor  ac. 
a  5  ft,  Comar.  Abfynth.  Mft.  Semin. 
Coriandr.  Cortic.  Qitr.  ficc.  Lign.  alo. 
a  3iij.  Parent,  f.  a.  &  infund,  24 
horas  in  Vtn.  alb.  Merofwr.  Dein 

utitur 


Of  a  Lientery  181 


Htitor  more  pr&diEto  ;  coleturque  femfer 
ufm  tempore. 

After  he  had  .gone  upon  this  Me- 
thod two  or  three  Days  he  found 
himfelf  much  eafier,  and  that  his 
Pain  at  Stomach  and  Griping  began 
to  abate,  by  which  he  was  encourag'd 
to  perfift  in  this  Method  for  fome  time, 
and  in  three  Weeks  or  a  Month  he  got 
perfe&ly  well  of  his  Diftemper. 

Mr.  Reckier,  late  Governor  of  Ber-  Hift.lL 
mudas,  was  taken  ill  in  1700  of  a 
Lientery  ;  but  fometknes  it  appeared 
as  a  Ctfliack  Affetfion.  He  had  been 
troubled  formerly  with  a  violent  Dy- 
fentery,  which  left  him  affli&ed  with 
this  faiftemper.  When  he  was  at 
worft,  he  had  commonly  twenty  Stools 
in  one  Night :  but  he  was  very  rarely 
free  of  his  Diftemper.  It  began  with 
him  about  half  an  Hour  or  an  Hour 
after  eating,  and  gave  him  very  lit- 
tle Refpite  till  all  was  difcharg'd: 
tho'  when  the  Loofnefs  held  longer 
off,  it  was  fure  to  appear  in  a  £>//- 
Ack  Affection.  He  had  no  other  ill 
Symptome  along  with  it,  but  that  he 
had  a  Drought  and  made  little  Wa- 
N  1  ten 


182         Of  a  Lientery 

ter.  I  treated  him  much  after  the 
fame  manner  I  did  Mr  Symcock  in 
the  former  Cafe  :  but  I  hop'd  my 
Medicine  for  curing  a  Diarrhea  ana 
Dyfentery  might  affi'ft  me  in  his  Cure. 
By  thofe  means  he  kept  pretty  free 
and  eafy  for  above  a  Fortnight  :  but 
his  Ilnefs  returning  afterwards  upon 
him,  with  Violence,  he  was  out  of 
heart  of  ever  being  curM,  notwith- 
ftanding  that  his  Relapfe  was,  in 
fome  meafure,  owing  to  his  having 
catch'd  cold  by  being  in  a  rainy  Day 
upon  the  River  before  he  had  re- 
covered any  Strength.  He  is  of  a  very 
Robuft  and  Athletical  Habit  of  Bo- 
dy, and  has  not  done  any  thing  fince, 
except  now  and  then  that  he  takes 
of  a  Stomachick  Tin&ure,  tho'  he  be 
feldom  free  from  his  Diftemper. 

Kift<  in.  Mrs,  Skinner  y  the  Old  Lady  men- 
tioned in  the  former  Chapter,  was 
taken  ill  of  a  Cceliack  Jfieffion  in  Fe- 
bruary 1707.  She  had  continued  per- 
fectly free  from  her  Diarrh&a  between 
her  being  then  cur'd  and  this  time :  her 
Stools  were  as  white  as  Milk,  and 
had  nine,  I  think,  or  ten  of  them  in 


and  Coeliack  AfFe&ion.  i 


four  and  twenty  Hours.  She  had 
them  without  Pain,  yet  fometimeswith 
Griping  ;  fhe  loft  her  Appetite  for  Food 
altogether,  and  flept  but  little;  She 
was  not  very  dry,  but  her  Water  was 
of  a  higher  Colour  than  natural. 

I  prefcrib'd  her  this  Clyfter, 
Rad.  Btjlort.  5  ft.  Comar.  Ably  nth.  M. 
Baccar.  'Juniper.  Semin.  Dauc.  Syl- 
<veflr.  a  §j.  Coq.  diligent er  in  f.  q.  aq. 
ad  5x.  In  Colatura  folve  Elect uar.  de 
Ba.cc.  Latin  3v.  &  adde  01.  Jlillatit. 
Baccar.  Juniper.  3ij.  f.  Enema  quam- 
primum  tn'yciendum.  RejecJo  Clyfmate^ 
accipiat  dojin  Electuarij  j'equentis^  nihil 
fuperbibendo. 

J>'.  Conf.  Rofar.  rubrar.  5j.  Theriac. 
Andromach.  3j.  Myv.  Cydonior.  5  ft. 
f.  Electuar.  de  quo  capiat  magnitudinem 
Nuck  Mofchatt  major,  ter  in  die. 

Her  Drink,  at  other  times,  was 
the  Decoct um  album.  Next  Day,  when 
I  vifited  her,  fhe  was  no  better,  and 
file  continued  to  have  Stools.  Then 
it  was  fhe  ask'd  why  I  would  not 
give  her  the  Medicine  whereby  fhe 
N  4  was 


Of  a  Lientery 

was  formerly  cur'd  after  fhe  had 
been  long  ill.  I  fhewM  her  that  it 
was  a  different  Cafe  from  that  fhe 
was  under  before,  and  that  it  re- 
quired a  different  Method.  So  fhe 
took  of  thefe  things,  with  no  great 
Succefs,  for  four  Days.  She  then  told 
me,  that  fhe  would  not  take  any 
more  from  me  or  any  Phyfician  ex- 
cept I  gave  her  my  Medicine  :  Where- 
fore meerly  complying  with  her  Im- 
portunity, I  had  the  mention'd  Clyf- 
ter  repeated,  and  ordered  her  a  Dofe 
of  my  Medicine  after  the  Clyfter  * 
had  wrought  off.  She  took  two  Do- 
fes  that  Evening,  and  one  next  Mor- 
ning. When  I  vifited  her  next  Day, 
fhe  was  free  of  her  Stools,  and  had 
not  above  one  in  24  Hours.  She 
took  a  Dofe  every  Night  at  Bed- 
time for  three  Days  more,  and  ne- 
ver heard  more  of  any  Loofnefs.  Yet 
her  Stools,  tho'  coftive,  were  all  along 
whitifh :  She  did  not  recover  her  Sto- 
mach, and  therefore  I  prefcribM  her 
fome  things  that  might  retrieve  her 
loft  Appetite,  and  help  the  Secretion 
of  Gall  at  the  fame  time.  This  laft 
Endeavour  fucceeded  indifferently  well 


and  Coeliack  Affe6Hon. 

in  4  or  5  days:  but  not  having  a 
Defire  to  Eat,  and  being  tired  of  her 
Tinfture,  I  put  her  on  Drinking  AiTes 
Milk  with  Coral  to  prevent  in  fome 
meafure  its  purging  her.  She  perfift- 
ed  in  this  way  above  two  Months, 
and  got  a  little  Strength  to  take  the 
air  for  an  Hour,  but  never  came  to 
have  a  Stomach.  In  about  five 
Months  after,  fhe  was  taken  ill  of  a 
Comatous  Fever,  and  died  afrer  ly- 
ing ill  of  it  a  Fortnight,  without  ta- 
king any  Food  or  Medicines  in  all 
that  time,  but  about  half  a  pint  of 
AfTes  Milk  in  24  Hours. 


CHAP, 


1 8<S 


Chap.  III. 
Of  a  T>yfentery. 


Sect.  I. 

IN  this  laft  Stage  of  our  prefent 
Inquiry  it  may  not  be  amifs  to 
follow  the  Method  of  Pra&ice  Phy- 
ficians  obferve,  when  they  would  in- 
form themfelves  of  the  Condition  of 
a  Sick  Perfon,  in  relating  firft  the 
Symptoms  commonly  found  about  any 
one  ill  of  a  Dy fernery  ;  next  in  difcove- 
ring  thofe  things  that  could  give  an 
Occafion  to,  or  produce  them ;  and  laft- 
ly,  in  enumerating  the  Confequences  of 
its  Lafting,  and  the  Effe&s  of  an  im- 
proper Cure,  and  how  all  thefe  In- 
conveniencies  thus  obferv'd  neceflfarily 
flow  from  the  Duration  of  this  Di- 
ftemper,  under  the  mentioned  Cir- 
cumftances  of  Nature,  and  Endea- 
vours for  curing  it^ 


II.  When 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

§.  II.  When  a  Perfon  is  ill  of  a 

Dyfentery,  the  Stools  are  full  of  Phlegm 
and  Gall,  they  are  Bloody,  and  this 
Blood  Is  mixt  in  with  thefe  Stools,  and  it  is 
Adujl.  The  People  thus  afflicted  have 
Griping,  they  pafs  Skins  among  the  Stools, 
fometimes  Pus  or  Corruption,  and  fome- 
times  Pieces  of  Fle/h  like  Caruncles. 

§.  III.  Before  this  Affe&ion  (a)  Hip- 
pocrates has  obfeiVd  the  Air  to  have  been 
hot  and  fultry.  People  become  ill  of  a  Dy- 
fentery upon  Drinking  Spirituous  hi- 
quors.  And  fuch  as  are  of  a  bilous  Conftitu- 
tion  are  fubjeff  to  it.  (b)  Hippocrates 
finds  that  a  Dyfentery  is  mofi  apt  to  feize 
Men  that  are  pafi  their  Touth.  People 
who  have  the  Piles  fuddenly  flopped  often 
fall  into  a  Dyfentery.  Women  likewife 
have  a  Dyfentery  upon  fuppr effing  their 
Monthly  Courfes.  (c)  Hippocrates  at 
fures  us  that  Black  Gall  is  fometimes 
the  Caufe  of  a  Dyfentery.  He  fufpefts 
too  that  the  Lofs  of  a  Limb,  and  a 
Plethora  procure  a  Dyfentery.  A  Di- 
arrhoea occafwns  a  Dyfentery. 

§.  IV.  When 


(a)  Aph.  16.  Sea.  3.  (b)  Apb.  30.  Seft.  3.  (0 
Aph.  24.  Seft.  4. 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

§.  IV.  When  a  Dyfentery  has  con- 
tinued for  feme  confiderable  time, 
there  is  a  Lofs  of  Flejh  and  Strength. 
(4)  Hippocrates  holds  it  for  a  Maxim 
that  feldom  fails ;  that  they  who  void 
a  Subjlance  like  Caruncles  are  never  to 
be  cur^d.  .(b)  He  fays  alfo,  that  a 
Loathing  at  Food  vs  ill  when  a  Dyfen- 
tery has  I  a  fled  any  time  ;  but  it  is  worfe 
if  accompany* d  with  a  Fever.  The  Guts 
are  often  very  much  Inflamed,  thin,  Schir- 
rhous,  they  are  Exulcerated,  there  is  a 
Gangrene,  and  Death  is  the  lajl  Effect. 

If  a  Dyfentery  is  untimely  ftopp'd, 
there  follows  a*  Mania  as  Galen 
and  Holerius  have  obferv'd.  Apo- 
plexies alfo,  and  a  Pleurify,  are  often  the 
Conferences  of  this  improper  Cure and 
more  frequently  a  Vomiting  and  Spitting 
of  Blood,  and  a  Dropfy. 

Yet  a  moderate  Dyfentery  has  been 
ufeful  in  fome  Diftempers  ;  and  many 
Inftances  are  brought  to  vouch  for 
this  AiTertion.  I  lhall  add  one  from 
Hippocrates,  where  he  fays  (c)  that  a 
Dyfentery  has  been  ufeful  to  People  ill 
of  the  Scurvy.    But  this  is  exprefs'd 

more 

(a)  A  ph.  26.  3eft.  4.    (Jti)  Aph.  3.  Seft.  6.  CO 


Of  a  Dyfentery.         1 89 

more  circumfpe&ly  in  (a)  another 
Place,  where  he  obferves  that  the  Dy- 
fentery mufl  not  lajl,  for  then  it  does 
hurt,  and  a  Dropfy  or  a  Lientery  mil 
follow )  and  with  them  Death. 

§.  V.  Tho'  thefe  are  Symptoms  The  ftoois 
frequent  enough  in  a  Dyfentery,  yet 
they  are  common  likewife  in  moft  phiesm, 
Loofneffes,  and  a  Diarrhoea  more  ef- 
pecially  feldom  happens  without  both 
of  them.  Now  as  we  have  already 
confider'd  their  Nature  and  the  Man- 
ner of  their  Produ£tion  when  I  trea- 
ted of  a  Diarrhceay  it  will  be  more 
proper  to  wave  any  farther  Inquiry ; 
what  is  already  faid  being  altogether 
fufficient  to  account  for  their  Preience 
at  this  time. 


§.  VI.  It  was  formerly  premised  They  arc 
that  the  Guts  received  Blood  by  the  Bloody- 
upper  and  lower  Mefenterick  Arte- 
ry, and  that  this  Blood  was  returned 
back  into  the  Heart  by  the  Mefera- 
ick  Veins.  Now  when  Blood  ap- 
pears among  the  Stools,  it  neceffari- 


Coac.  pri'not.  4<>5, 


190        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

ly  follows,  that  fome  of  thefe  VefTels, 
but  more  efpecially  the  Arteries,  are 
broke  into ;  the  Veins  with  fuch  fmall 
EmiiTaries  rarely  fending  forth  their 
Blood :  wherefore  in  cafe  of  a  Dyfente- 
ry the  Veins  and  Arteries  of  the 
Guts  are  either  corroded,  worn  fo 
thin  as  to  burft,  or  are  burft  by  the 
Force  of  the  blood  it  felf,  and  by  that 
means  there  is  Blood  among  the 
Stools. 

This       §4  VII.  Now  as  Blood  is  at  pre- 
mird  in  fent>  difchargM  out  of  its  Velfels  in- 
with  the  to  the  Cavity  of  the  Inteftines,  and 
Stools.     tjie  Stools  in  them  being  liquid,  it 
is  manifeft  that  Blood  falling  into  li- 
quid Stools,  and  both  of  them  being 
protruded  by  the  Periftaltick  Motion 
of  the  Guts,  that  this  Blood  muft  be 
mix'd  in  with  thefe  Stools  and  be 
voided  together:  and  therefore  in  a 
Dyfentery  the  Blood  is  always  voided 
mix'd  in  with  the  Stools. 

Itisaduft.  §.  VIII.  By  Aduft  Blood  is  under- 
flood  a  black  fhining  Blood.  Now 
as  the  Blood  in  a  Dyfentery  is  let 
out  from  the  common  Fountain  at 

the 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  191 

the  Mefenterick  Arteries,  it  fhews 
that  the  remaining  Blood  is  like- 
wife  Aduft:  But  the  Mafs  of  circu- 
lating Blood  being  of  this  Aduft  Co- 
lour, and  likewife  voided  into  the 
Guts,  it  is  manifeft  how  this  Aduft 
Blood  is  voided  in  the  Stools.  Yet 
it  is  fufficiently  known  that  there 
are  many  things  in  the  Guts  will 
give  the  Blood  a  dark  and  fhining 
Colour  ;  its  corrupting  will  make  it 
of  a  blacker  Colour,  and  a  fharp  or 
acid  Liquor,  or  acid  Stools,  will  oc- 
cafion  its  greater  Brightnefs  and  the 
Shining  which  is  obferv'd. 

'Twas  from  thefe  different  Colours 
of  Blood  that  ancient  Phyficians  con- 
ftituted  the  different  forts  of  Dyfente- 
riesj  and  that  they  fuppos'd  the  Blood 
came  from  different  Parts  of  the  Bo- 
dy into  the  Guts.  Tho'  now  it  is 
evident  that  this  Blood  cannot  flow 
from  any  Part  befides '  the  Blood- 
Veffels  ot  the  Guts ;  and  whatever 
different  Colours  of  Blood  may  be 
voided  upon  the  Account  of  its  diffe- 
rent State  and  Condition,  yet  it  on- 
ly is  difcharg'd  from  thefe  Blood- 
Veflels  of  the  Inteftines.  For  inftance , 

(a J  when 


192        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

(a)  when  this  voided  Blood  is  thin 
and  watry  like  Rinfings  of  Flefh,  it 
was  fuppos'd  to  come  from  the  Li- 
ver ;  it  being  the  Office  of  that  Bowel 
to  concoft  the  Blood,  and  to  turn 
its  Nourifhment,  the  Chyle,  into 
good  Blood:  fo  that  all  ill  changed 
and  pale  Blood  was  afcrib^d  to  the 
Defeft  of  the  Liver.  But  as  Chyle 
is  not  carry'd  thither  pure  or  di- 
re&ly,  neither  is  this  Sanguification 
performed  in  that  Office:  and  if  it 
were,  Blood  is  never  convey'd  from 
the  Liver  into  the  Guts,  but  always 
from  thence  into  the  Liver.  Yet 
this  kind  of  Loofnefs  was  call'd  from 
the  Part  offending,  a  Liver-Flux.  Af- 
ter the  fame  manner  they  reafon'd 
about  the  Blacknefs  and  Shining  of 
Blood :  the  firft  was  laid  to  be  the 
Effeft  of  Cold,  and  the  fecond  of 
Heat.  So  that  fhining  Blood  mix'd 
with  melancholy  Humours  made  a 
different  Dyfentery*  This  its  Shining 
was  faid  to  proceed  from  its  greater 
Stay  in  the  Liver  and  Spleen.  Now, 
if  every  thing  elfe  were  true,  we  find 

that 


(a)  TralHan.  Lib.  7,  caj>.'2u 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  193 

that  this  Ad uft  Blood  could  not  readily 
be  convey'd  from  the  Liver,  but  by 
no  poflible  means  from  the  Spleen 
into  the  Inteftines,  the  laft  Branch  of 
the  Cceliack  Artery  having  nothing 
to  do  with  the  Guts,  and  its  Vein 
the  Ramus  Splenica  tending  directly 
to  the  Liver. 

We  may  conclude  from  what  has  a  Patfoi 
been  laid,  that  wlien  at  any  time  gg°™onJf 
Blood  is  voided  with  the  Stools,  and  Spiles! 
not  mix'd  in  with  them,  the  Diftem- 
per  is  then  the  Piles ;  and  that  this 
Blood  has  not  been  difcharg'd  into 
the  Stools  very  high  in  the  Guts, 
otherwife  they  had  been  beat  toge- 
ther by  their  Periftaltick  Motion  ; 
but  ii  only  thrown  into  the  Stools 
from  about  the  lower  End  of  the 
Reffum,  or  about  the  Anus  it  felf : 
And  if  among  the  firft  or  laft  Stools; 
any  of  them  are  more  folid  or  coftive, 
this  Appearance  fhews  it  more  plain- 
ly to  be  the  Piles. 

§.  IX.   As  Pain  is  a  Solution  of  They.. 
Continuity,  or  a  disjoining  of  the  jj?** Qt" 
Parts  where  the  Pain  is   from  one  °' 
Smother,  and  as  the  Guts  are  made 
O  up 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

up  of  Membranes  and  Mufcles,  they 
are  of  that  Nature  that  their  conti- 
nuous Parts  may  be  drawn  afunder 
and  confequently  are  fubjeft  to  Pain* 
But  Pain  felt  in  the  Inteftines,  or 
in  any  part  of  them,,  is  peculiarly 
c-alPd  Griping  :  and  therefore  in  a  Dy- 
fentery, where  Blood  is  let  out,  and 
there  is  a  greater  Solution  of  Con- 
tinuity, it  is  evident  why  there  may 
be  a  much  lefs  Degree  of  Solution  in 
the  Membranes  and  Mufcles  of  the 
Guts  or  Griping.  It  was  upon  the 
account  of  this  iuppos'd  Neceflky  of 
having.  Blood'  with  Gripes  that  Phy- 
ficians  have  plac'd  the  Elfence  of  this 
Difeafe  in  Blood  voided  by  Griping, 
and  an  Ulcer  the  Confequence  of 
this  Blood.  A  Multitude  indeed  of 
ft  range  Suppofitions  to  conftitute  the 
Eifence  of  any  Difeafe.  That  Grip- 
ing is  oftner  without  Biood  than 
with  it  is  an  undeniable  Obfervation 
in  Cafes  cf  the  Colick  and  Iliack 
Paflion  it  felf;  and  that  both  this 
Griping  and  Blood  are  mod  ordinary 
without  an  Ulcer  is  as  evidently,  tho* 
not  fo  commonly,  obferv'd.  The  Bo- 
dies of  People  that  have  dy'd  of  Dy- 

fenteries- 


Of  a  Dyfcntery. 

fenteries  (efpecially  if  they  have  been 
cut  off  in  a  little  time,  even  in  the 
Space  of  a  Year  without  any  preced- 
ing very  ill  Habit  of  Body)  being 
open'd  and  their  Guts  examined  are 
never  found  exulcerated,  as  is  gene- 
rally expefred.  This  I  do  affert  not 
only  from  my  own  Experience,  but 
alfo  from  that  of  fome  Officers  who 
have  been  very  diligent  in  fuch  In- 
quiries, at  my  Defire.  Monfieur  Dre- 
lincourt  an  Eminent  French  Phyfician^ 
and  fometime  ProfelTor  of  Anatomy 
in  Ley  den  y  (a)  has  the  fame  Obferva- 
tion,  and  would  account  from  this 
quite  different  Appearance  another 
way:  Yet  the  Guts,  as  he  fays,  ap- 
pear only  thinner  much  than  natu- 
ral and  bloody,  but  not  at  all  exul- 
cerated.  So  however  Ulcers  in  the 
Guts  may  happen  to  any  one  after  a 
Dyfentery  has  lafted  fome  time,  they 
are  plainly  not  effential  to  it;  and 
that  becaufe  the  Guts  of  Dyfenterical 
O  2  People 

00  Thefibu=.  JDyfentericorum  interanea  vcl  pcr- 
lucent  Mcmbranea,  carnei  Intertramenti  Causa  hoc 
fortiori  velut  Smegmate  deterfi  fuhduftique ;  vel 
carnosa  fui  parte  Vafis  irrigua  tumcnti,  atque  Pla- 
gulis  Morfibufve  cruentata,  ut  krt  Carnium  Indo- 
les. 


i  p6        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

People  have  often,  if  not  moft  com- 
monly, been  without  any  fuch  Exul- 
ceration.  And  from  this  laft  Obfer- 
vatian  it  plainly  follows,  that  Authors 
have  not  been  diftinft  about  the  fol- 
lowing Symptoms  of  Skins*  Put,  and 
Carumlesy  among  the  Stools,  in  rank- 
ing them  among  the  Symptoms  that 
are  along  with  a  Dyfentery ;  and  that 
their  more  proper  Place  is  among 
thofe  that  follow  it,  after  it  has  la- 
fled  for  fome  time.  However,  I 
iliall  give  way  to  Cuftom  at  prefent, 
and*  explain  them  as  they  ftand  re- 
commended from  the  obfervatory  way 
of  Phyfick.  Indeed  no  Symptom  ought 
to  be  reckonM  among  thofe  along 
with  any  Difeafe  but  what  may  be 
found  commonly  on  one  Perfon  or 
other  from  the  Beginning  of  that  Di- 
ftemper. 

Skins  a-  X.  After  the  fame  manner,  what- 
mong  the  eVer  it  is  that  occafions  this  Griping, 
Stools.     •£  -t  -s  continuecj  for  fome  time,  or 

a£ls  with  greater  Violence,  in  that 
cafe  the  Solution  of  Continuity  will 
be  greater,  h.  e.  the  continuous  Parts 
may  be  fo  remov'd  as  fome  fuperfi- 
cial  Parts  of  them  may  fall  off.  But 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  197 

the  fuperficial  P?.rts  of  the  Guts,  that 
can  fall  into  their  Cavity  confift  of 
fhort  Fibres  ;  the  Surfaces  of  which, 
and  even  .they  themfelves  on  greater 
Divulfions,  being  eafily  feparated,  and 
they  being  of  a  Membranous  or  Skin- 
ny Subftance,  it  is  manifeft  how  Skins 
may  be  found  among  the  Stools  in 
time  of  a  Dyfentery\  but  efpecially 
when  it  has  continued  for  fame  time. 

^.  XI.  Now  as  the  fhort  Fibres 
that  conftitute  the  inner  Surface  of 
the  Inteftines  are  bound  together 
with  fine  Blood-Velfels,  fo  this  Coat 
does  more  approach  to  the  Nature  of 
Flefh;  and  tho'  thefe  fmall  Veffels, 
when  (lightly  wounded  emit  no  Blood, 
and  an  inconfiderable  fmall  Quantity 
when  cut  afunder,  yet  it  ferves  bet- 
ter for  forming  Pm  than  thofe  Parts 
that  are  Membranous,  and  \vhofe 
Blood  Veflels  are  a  great  deal  final- 
ler :  fince  Pus  is  nothing  -elfe  than 
the  Lymph*  of  the  {51ood  colle&ed 
on  the  Surface  of  the  Body  and  turned 
into  this  Appearance  by  the  mode- 
rate Heat  of  the  Part,  and  a  conftant 
Supply  of  fame  Parts  of  Lymfha.\  arid 
O  3  different 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

different  forts  of  Pus  are  only  occafionM 
by  thef  different  Condition  of  Lym- 
fha,  and  the  various  Degrees  of  Heat 
in  the  Part,  together  with  the  Quan- 
tity of  Lympba  Oozing  into  the  Part 
where  this  Pus  is  collefted.  Where- 
fore it  is  evident  how  Pus  may  be 
generated  in  time  of  a  Dyfentery,  and 
when  it  has  continued  any  confidera- 
ble  time.    But  if  we  confidqr  that 
thefe  Caufes  of  Griping  may  likewife 
pafs  into  the  Mufcular  Coat  of  the 
Guts,  this  whole  Affair  will  be  ftill 
more  eafily  conceiv'd :  fince  it  may 
be  afferted  as  an  univerfal  Truth, 
that  the  Subftance  of  the  Mufcles  or 
Heft},  are  the  moft  proper  Parts  for 
generating  Pus,  and  every  Part  is 
more  or  lefs  apt  as  it  approaches  to, 
or  recedes   from,  the  Subftance  of 
Flefh.    'Tis  well  worth  our  Obferva- 
tion  in  this  Place,  that  as  thefe  Emif- 
faries  become  larger,  fo  as  to  give 
paffage  to  the  larger  and  red  Parts  of 
the  Blood,  there  is   not  then  any 
Generation  of  Pus  ;  nay  this  Effufion 
muft  again  be  hindered  before  Pus 
can  be  generated.    By  all  this  it  is 
manifoft,  how  unneceffary  the  Sup- 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  199 

pofition  of  an  Ulcer  in  the  Guts  is 
towards  the  Explication  of  a  Dyfente- 
ry. But  more  of  this  fhall  come  un- 
der confideration,  when  the  Symp- 
toms which  follow  this  Diftemper 
•are  more  particularly  explained. 

§.  XII.  From  what  has  been  Pieces  of 
faid,  it  is  very  eafy  to  underrtand  Flefh- 
that  Fungous  Fleih  may  be  gene- 
rated in  cafe  of  an  Ulcer  in  the 
Inteftines,  as  well  as  we  find  in  any 
other  that  is  longer  in  curing.  More- 
over, if  the  Fibres  of  this  Excrefcence 
is  conceived  more  Schirrhous,  in  that 
cafe  not  only  this  kind  of  Flefh  will 
be  generated,  but  it  will  even  be 
Cancerous,  as  has  been  often  obferv'd, 
and  that  when  there  has  not  any 
Ulcer  preceded.  This  Matter  of  Tu- 
mours, as  alfo  the  Supplying  the  Lofs 
of  Subftanceof  Flefh  by  Suppuration, 
is  a  Problem  in  Surgery  equally  plea- 
fant  and  advantageous,  and  which 
wants  to  be  well  explained.  However, 
it  is  evident  how  Pieces  of  Flefh  or 
Caruncles,  and  that  which  is  Cancerous, 
.may  really  be  in  a  longer  Duration 
of  a  Dyfentery.  This,  indeed,  Sennertu* 
O  4  feems 


00  Of  a  Dyfentery. 

feems  to  doubt  of,  in  his  Queftions, 
without  any  Reafon,  and  only  that 
it  has  been  hard  for  him  to  conceive 
how  fo  confiderable  Subftances,  as  de- 
ferve  the  Name  of  Flefh,  can  be  void- 
ed. This  is  no  Argument  againft  the 
Poffibility  of  the  thing,  and  daily  Ex- 
perience vouches  for  .this  Obferva.tion 
of  Hippocrates,  and  a  Cafe  of  this  kind 
fhall  be  related  in  the  Hiftories  that 
iollow  in  their  proper  Place, 

Thefe  are  the  Symptoms  that  are 
found  to  be  along  with  a  Dyfentery ; 
tho'  fome  of  them  have  been  obferv'd 
to  have  a  more  gradual  and  fucceffive 
Produftion  from  fome  of  the  reft, 
than  i$  fit  for  thofe  that  are  gene- 
rally reckoned  concomitant  Symptoms 
of  a  Difeafe.  Let  us  next  inquiry 
what  has  been  obferv'd  to  precede 
this  Difeafe,  and  are  fuppos'd  to  bq 
its  Caufes, 

Hotar.d     §,  XIII.  Among  the  firft  pf  them 

1  cry  Air  }-Jipp0crates  mentions  Hot  and  Sultry 

Air.  Now  Warm  Air,  but  efpecially 
if  it  comes  fuddenly,  is  apt  to  burft 
the  weakeft  Blood-Veffels :  for  by  this 
its  warmth  the  Blood  is  much  R^7 

"  rifled* 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  201 

rifled,  it  being  a  Subftance  very  lia- 
ble in  its  own  Nature  to  be  much 
expanded;  and  by  this  its  Rarefac- 
tion it  poffelTes  more  Space,  where- 
by the  Arteries  are  extremely  diften- 
ded.  But  in  this  greater  Quantity  of 
Blood  (for  Blood  rarify'd  to  take  up 
the  like  Space,  is  the  fame  thing  in 
the  prefent  Confideration  as  if  there 
were  really  fo  much  Blood  diftending 
the  Blood-Veffels)  occafions  their  bur- 
fling.  Now  if  the  Blood- VeiTels  of 
the  Guts  are  of  the  weakeft  fort, 
thefe  Veifels  may  likewife  give  way, 
ancl  Blood  will  be  difcharg'd  into  the 
Guts.  But  Blood  flowing  into  the 
Guts  renders  their  Contents  more  li- 
quid while  this  Blood  continues  fo ; 
and  therefore  by  the  Lemma^  the  Ex- 
crements are  thrown  out  in  lefs  time 
and  alfo  liquid,  as  in  cafe  of  a  Loof- 
neft.  Befides,  this  prefent  Caufe  of 
their  Liquidity  is  Blood,  and  there- 
fore thefe  liquid  Stools  are  filPd  with 
Blood,  as  in  the  Cafe  of  a  Dyfentery ; 
but  all  this  is  done  by  hot  and  ful- 
try  Air :  Wherefore  hot  and  fultry 
Air  is  , the  Caufe  of  a  Dyfentery.  More- 
over, hot  Air  likewife  accelerates  the 

Blood's 


202        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

Blood's  Motion  ;  fo  that  the  Blood 
taking  up  more  room,  and  yet  mo- 
ving more  quickly,  preffes  the  Veffels, 
and  deftroys  their  Continuity  in  more 
than  a  common  Proportion,  and  there- 
fore is  a  more  powerful  Caufe  of 
their  burfting  than  the  former.  And 
by  this  it  is,  again,  evident  how  hot 
and  fultry  Air  is  the  Caufe  of  a  Dy- 
fentery.  There  are  many  more  Af- 
feftions  of  the  Blood  by  fultry  Air, 
whereby  it  is  difpos'd  to  this  Burfting 
of  Velfels ;  but  thefe  being  fufficient 
to  explain  the  Phenomenon  before  us, 
the  reft  fliall  be  farther  confider'd 
in  the  0  economic  Animdis^  the  proper 
Place  for  fuch  Inquiries, 

Spirituous  §.  XIV.  It  is  much  after  the  fame 
liquors.  manner  that  Spirituous  Liquors  have 
their  Effeft  in  producing  a  Dyfentery. 
For  the  Quantity  of  Blood  and  its  Ve- 
locity are  augmented  in  proportion  to 
the  Quantity  of  the  Liquor  we  drink, 
and  the  Quantity  of  Spirits  it  con- 
tains. But  Spirituous  Liquors  encreaf- 
ing  the  real  Quantity  of  Blood,  and 
rarifying  it  by  their  hot  Parts,  as  well 
%$  encreafing  its  Velocity,  muft  ftill  be 

a 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  203 

a  more  powerful  Caufeof  a  Dyfentery. 
But  if  we  fuppofe  the  mentioned  Tem- 
per of  Air  to  co-operate  with  thefe 
Spirituous  Liquors,  the  Effeft  will  be 
more  conftant  and  of  worfe  Confe- 
rence. So  that  by  this  fhort  Hint 
it  is  evident  how  Spirituous  Liquors 
drank  in  any  confiderable  Quantity 
may  produce  a  Dyfentery.  Thus  much 
for  the  Difpofition  to  a  Dyfentery  by 
the  Non-naturals  Air  and  Drink. 


§.  XV.  Next  as  to  the  Conftitu-  People  of 
tions  that  naturally   tend   more  to  conftim- 
have  this  Diftemper  than  any  other,  tion  rub- 
it  is  obfervM  that  they  who  are  of 
a  Bilous  Conftitution  are  apteft  to  re-   y  ™  r ' 
ceive  Impreffions  from   fuch  other 
Caufesas  produce  it ;  Nay,  that  Peo- 
ple of  this  Conftitution  are  ready  to 
fall  into  it  upon  fmall  Changes  in 
their  Conftitution.    This  is  evident 
upon  many  accounts:  for  a  Conftitu- 
tion in  general,  is  nothing  elfe,  (a) 
than  that  Difpofition  the  Parts  of  the 
Blood  have  to  cohere  lefs  or  more 
one  With  another,  by  which  the  Blood 
*  becomes 

(a)  Corol.I.Sol.  Probl7de  Purg,  tff.  Phil.  Tonf. 
No.  303. 


Of  a  Dyfenter y. 

becomes  more  or  lefs  fluid;  and  (a) 
a  Bilous  Conftitution,  or  that  natu- 
ral Conftitution  wherein  the  Secre- 
tion of  Gall  is  greateft,  is  always  join'd 
to  the  moft  fluid.  Now  as  the  molt 
fluid  Blood  is  likewife  propell'd  with 
the  greateft  Velocity,  by  confequence 
it  moft  eafily  burft$  its  VelTels  in  con- 
currence with  any  of  the  other  Cau~ 
fes  \  or  when  the  Blood  acquires  z. 
Grofnefs  greater  than  natural  Hence 
it  is  that  all  Old  People  of  this 
Conftitution  are  apt  to  have  a  Loof- 
nefs  without  the  addition  of  any  atfyer 
Caufe  than  the  Change  which  hap- 
pens in  their  Conftitution  by  Old  Age. 
It  is  likewTife  this  natural  Tendency 
to  this  Diftemper  that  makes  People 
of  this  Conftitution  morg  Jiard  tq 
cure  of  any  Loofnefs  ;  but  more 
efpecially  or  a  Djfentery,  Thefe  things 
being  obferv'd,  a  bilous  Conftitution 
is  moft  difpos'd  to  a  Dyfentery^  becaufe 
it  is,  upon  fuppofition,  the  Conftitu- 
tion wherein  the  greateft  Quantity  of 
Gall  is  feparated  from  the  Blood :  Now 
the  Office  of  the  Gall  is  to  render 

the 


£'<0  Oecon.  Animal,  pag.  51. 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

the  Contents  of  the  Inteftines  more 
liquid,  and  to  ftimulate  them  at  the 
fame  time.  Confequent  to  this  it  is, 
that  a  Conftitution  muft  have  its  Mafs 
of  digefted  Aliment  more  liquid,  and 
the  Inteftines  of  fuch  a  Perfon  more 
ftimulated,  who  feparates  the  greateft 
Natural  Quantity  of  Gall :  but  to  have 
our  ^  Excrements  naturally  the  molt 
liquid,  and  Inteftines  moft  ftimulated, 
is  a  natural  Tendency  to  a  Loofnefs, 
and  is  equivalent  to  having  taken  a 
certain  Quantity  of  a  Medicine  fit  for 
that  Purpofe  in  any  other  Conftitu- 
tion* And  therefore,  it  is  evident  that 
People  of  a  bilous  Conftitution  are 
moft  fubjeSt  to  a  Loofnefs.  They  are 
alfo  apt  to  have  a  Dyfenterj  upon  this 
very  account :  For  this  Quality  of  Gall, 
whereby  the  Guts  are  ftimulated, 
may  have  its  Power  fo  far  augmen- 
ted as  to  make  Wounds  in  the  Inte- 
ftines,, which  EmiiTaries  being  patent 
enough  to  tranfmit  the  Blood  Caufe 
a  Dyfentery.  Wherefore  it  is  mani- 
feft  that  fuch  People,  who  are  of  a 
bilous  Conftitution,  are  moft  fubjeft 
to  a  Dyfentery,  as  has  been  obfeiVd 
and  I  undertook  to  illuftrate. 

A 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

A  famous  QuelKon  is  proposed 
among  Authors  on  this  Occafion, 
which  may  not  be  improper  to  men- 
tion, fince  it  has  not  yet  been  ac- 
counted for,  but  may  in  a  few 
Words.  It  is  a  Doubt  of  no  fmall 
importance  with  them,  why  yellow 
Gall  caufes  a  Dyfentery  in  a  very  lit- 
tle time,  when  the  green  and  Leek- 
like Gall  commonly  caufes  a  fimple 
Diarrhea,  that  runs  on  for  a  long 
time,  and  that  never  degenerates  into 
a  Dyfentery,  fince  this  green  Gall  is. 
generated  out  of  that  which  is  yel- 
low by  greater  Aduftion,  and  there- 
fore is  endued  with  a  greater  Acri- 
mony. Moft  Authors  have  been  of 
Opinion  that  a  certain  Vifcidity  is  ne- 
Ceifary,  together  with  this  Sharpnefs, 
that  keeping  the  fliarp  Humours  lon- 
ger in  the  Guts  it  may  the  better 
corrode  them  and  occafion  a  Dyfente- 
ry :  So  that  if  this  yellow  Gall  is  af- 
fociated  with  fuch  a  Lentor,  it  will 
caufe  a  Dyfentery,  otherwife  than  does 
the  green  Gall,  that  has  not  fuch 
a  Conjunction.  But  all  this  is  true 
only  upon  luppofition ;  fo  that  if  it 
is  put  the  other  way,  the  Argument 

will 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  207 

will  conclude  contrary  to  the  Defign 
and  Purpofe  of  thefe  Authors.  In- 
deed this  Vifcidity  is  not  peculiar  to 
either,  and  it  is  rneerly  by  accident 
that  they  happen  together.  The  Dif- 
ficulty feems  rather  precarious  than 
otherwife;  and  it  is  not  certain  that 
this  green  Gall  is  more  acrimonious 
than  the  yellow,  or  that  the  Greennefs 
is  acquired  by  Aduftion :  So  that  if 
we  may  conclude  from  the  constant 
EfFe&s  of  both,  it  is  certain  that  the 
yellow  Gall  is  the  moil  acrimonious. 
Befides,  Gall  evaporated  to  any  De- 
gree of  Thicknefs  becomes  falter,  bit- 
terer, and  fharper ;  but  does  not 
change  its  Colour.  On  the  contrary, 
Gall  mix'd  with  an  acid  Liquor  be- 
comes more  dilute  and  green  ;  which 
is  far  more  agreeable  with  its  other 
EfFefts. 


§.XVI.  Next,  as  to  the  Age  where-  ^£Pa* 
in  Men  are  moft  obnoxious  to  a  Dj-  Yomh 
fmterjy  Hippocrates  has  rightly  obferv'd  moft  apt 
it  to  be  when  we  come  of  Man's 
Eftate,  and  we  are  paft  our  Youth.   '  v  e 
The  fundamental  Reafon  of  this  has 

been 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

beeri  already  aflign'd,  when  (a)  I 
treated  of  the  Came  of  Womens  hav- 
ing monthly  Courfes,  and  the  time 
when  they  firft  come  upon  them. 
For  when  the  Veffels  of  a  Man  are 
as  fully  explicated,  efpecially  in  their 
Length,  as  the  Force  of  his  Blood 
can  perform,  or  that  he  is  part  his 
Youth"  and  begins  to  be  a  Man,  then 
it  is  that  any  Error  in  a  confiderable 
Quantity  of  Blood  or  its  Thicknefs 
while  the  natural  Velocity  perfifts  in 
its  own  State,  or  an  Error  in  grea- 
ter Velocity  while  its  Thicknefs  and 
Quantity  remain  the  fame,  that  the 
Velfels  are  thus  diftended,  and  broke 
thdrow  according  to  their  natural 
Tendernefs,  or  any  fuch  as  is  defec- 
tive and  vitious.  Wherefore  it  is 
evident,  why  all  other  things  being 
put  equal,  we  become  more  (ubje£t 
to  a  Dyfentery  at  Man's  Age  than  in 
any  time  before.  This  might  be  flhewn 
at  greater  Length,  and  in  many  more 
Particulars,  but  that  it  belongs  more 
properly  to  the  OeconomU  animdisy 
and  may  give  very  confiderable  Hints 

to 


(4)  Oecon.  Animal,  pag.  120. 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  20(7 

to  thofe  that  are  accuftom'd  to  fuch 
Speculations,  and  I  hope  they'll  ex- 
plain it  at  length  and  fave  me  the 
Trouble; 

XVII.  From  what  sis  now  faid,  ^  Women 
and  what  I  have  formerly  ihewn  in  '"avea^ 

1  •     1  1     -n»     1        •  fernery  by 

the  mention  d  Book ,  it  appears  fUpPrer- 
evidently  why  Women  are  fubjeft  ^  thcii 
to  a  Djfentery  upon  having  their  clutlll. 
monthly  Courfes  fupprefs'd.  For  they 
having  their  Courfes  by  a  grea- 
ter Quantity  of  Blood  than  natural, 
the  Fluidity  and  Velocity  remaining 
near  the  fame,  and  tliefe  Courfes  be- 
ing now  fupprefs'd,  the  Quantity  of 
Blood  certainly,  and  perhaps  its  Ve- 
locity, are  augmented  by  this  Sup- 
preflion.  But  upon  a  Suppofition  of 
this  Supprellion,  the  Blood  does  not 
flow  out  by  the  VelTels  that  are  na- 
turally the  weakeft :  and  therefore  it 
burfts  thofe  that  are  naturally  lefs 
weak,  or  that  have  any  Defefl,  or 
where  the  Blood's  Impetus  is  the 
greateft,  tho'  there  be  other  Veffels 
equally  weak.  And  as  the  Mefente- 
rick  Arteries  I'hall,  by  a  farther  Inqui- 
ry, be  found  under  many  of  thefe 
P  Conditions 


21  o         Of  a  Dyfentery. 

Conditions,  the  Blood  will  readily  burft 
out  at  them*  Yet  all  this*  happens 
by  fupprefling  the  Monthly  Courfes 
of  Women :  and  therefore  Women  are 
fubjeft  to  have  a  Dyfentery  by  fup- 
prefling-. their  Monthly  Courfes  as  we 
have  obferv'di 


And  men 

or  women 


§.  XVIIL  Tis  for  the  like  Weaknefs 
by  ftop-    of  the  Hemorrhoidal  Veffels  that  Peo- 

ffifes.  Ple  llave  the  Plles :  for  thefe  Veffels-' 
and  particularly  the  internal  which 
lie  loofe,  are  very  weak   and  give 
but  a  fmall  Refiftance  to  the  Force  of 
the  Blood  ;  fo  that  Blood  being  thick- 
er than  natural,  or  having  a  Velocity 
greater  than-  natural,  eafily  burftstho- 
row  as  iSv  common  in  the  Hemorrhoids 
or  Piles,    Now  the  Running,  of  the 
Piles  being  fupprefs  -d  by  Applications 
and  other  Means,  and  the  Blood  ha- 
ving a  Velocity  or  Vifcidity  greater 
than  natural,  and-  often  both  thefe 
Qualities)  prelTes  harder  on  all  the 
Veffels    and  burfts  the  weaker,  or 
thofe  of  an  equal  Weaknefs  where 
the  Velocity  is  greateft  :  and  therefore 
a  Suppreflion  of  the  Piles  will  occa^ 


J 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  211 

fion  a  Difcharge  of  Blood  into  the 
Guts,  or  caufe  a  Dyfentery. 

§.  XIX.  If  we  compare  what  Hip-  Black 
pocrates  (a)  fays  in  two  different  Pla-  caufeISofa 
ces  of  his  Epidemic ks,  we  may  be  in-  ityenterj, 
forrrt'd  of  the  Nature  of  this  black 
Gall,  whereby  the  Truth  of  his  pre- 
fent  ObferVation  may  become  obvious 
(viz.)  That  black  Gall  is  the  Caufe 
of  a  Dyfentery:  In  the  firft  of  thefe 
quoted  Places  he  fays,  that  they  who 
abound  with  Fat  breed  yellow  Gall ; 
but  they  who  have  a  greater  Propor- 
tion of  Blood,  a  blackiih  Gall.  In  the 
other  place,  he  compares  the  Blood 
df  the  Piles  to  black  Galh  He  fays 
that  in  the  Flux  of  Blood  by  the  Piles, 
there  is  a  mighty  Affinity  and  Refem- 
blance  to  black  Gall.  Now,  if  black 
Gall  is  like  H<emorrboidal-Blood,  black; 
thin,  and  acrimonious,  with  few  foft 
and  fat  Parts,  it  is  evident  that  this 
black  Gall  confifts  of  very  Simulating 
Parts,  whereby  a  Loofnefs  in  general, 
inay  be  produced ;  and  by  a  longer 
Application  of  the  fame  Parts,  the 
P  2  Guts 


00  Lib.    Epid.  Seft.6.  Lib,  <S.  E$id.  Se&.  5, 


212        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

Guts  may  be  wounded  :  By  which, 
Blood  flowing  in  the  Guts  is  voided 
among  the  thin  Excrements  and  makes 
a  Dyfentery.  This  Quality  of  black 
Gall  is  very  conformable  to  the  Doc- 
trine cf  Hippocrates,  and  the  way  he 
alledges  many  Difeafes  are  made  by 
it* 

And  the  XX.  Hippocrates  feems  to  think 
Limband  it  unavoidable  to  have  a  Dyfentery be- 
a  Plethora,  caufe  of  the  Lofs  of  a  Limb  or  .  a 
Plethora  ;  Both^no  doubt,  uporr  the 
fame  account.  This  he  not  only 
thinks  unavoidable ,  but  alfo  very 
ufeful  in  the  fir  ft  Cafe,  (a)  He  fays, 
they  who  have  undergone-  an  Am- 
putation, 'tis  to  be  nop'd,  will  in 
a  little  time  have  Bloody  Stools. 
If  that  extraordinary  Quantity  of 
Blood  was  really  in  the  Body  after 
Amputation,  as  Hippocrates  feems  to 
fuppofe,  and  many  Phyficians  be- 
lieve there  is$  then  an  Hemorrhage  of 
fome  kind  were  unavoidable,  and 
even  neceffary,  to  relieve  Nature  and 
to  prevent   Difeafes  ;  For,  in  that 

cafej, 

h   ~ 

(a)  lib.  de  Articulis. 


Of  a  Dyfentery.        2 1 3 

cafe,  there  is  fuppos'd  the  common. 
Quantity  of  Blood  in  the  Body  as 
before  the  Amputation,  and  that  en- 
dued with  its  natural  Velocity,  and 
therefore  its  Preffure  upon  the  Sides 
of  the  Arteries  greater,  and  from 
thence  there  will  be  a  Danger  of 
their  burfting  ;  But  the  Velocity  of 
Blood  would,  in  this  circumftance,  be 
greater  than  natural,  and  confequent- 
ly  this  Burfting  of  a  weaker  Artery  al- 
mod  unavoidable.  But  as  a  Proporti- 
oned part  of  Blood  is  carry'd  off  with 
the  Amputated  Member,  there  is  not 
a  greater  -Quantity  of  Blood  in  other 
Parts  -of  the  Body  after  fuch  an  Ope- 
ration than  was  before  it.  This  too 
great  Quantity  of  Blood  may  alfo  be 
luppos'd  to  grow  upon  an  Amputation, 
our  Stomach  receiving  and  digefting 
an  equal  Quantity  of  Aliment  before 
and  after  the  Amputation  :  fo  that 
the  Quantity  of  Chyle  which  fup- 
plyM  the  Wafting  of  the  Member 
before  Amputation  is  now  difpersM 
in  the  whole  Mafs  among  the  re- 
maining Parts  of  the  Body;  ancj 
therefore  there  muft  be  a  greater 
P  ?  Quail* 


Of  a  Dyfenteryl 

Quantity  of  Blood  over  all  the  Body. 
Yet  this  Redundancy  muft  be  in  that 
Proportion  to  the  Share  of  Recruits 
the  Member  amputated  had ;  which 
will  likewife  better  appear  by  confi- 
dering  an  Amputated  part  particularly. 
Suppofe  then  a  Leg  is  lopp'd  off,  and  as 
a  Leg  may  be  the  ^  of  the  whol$ 
Body,  it  is  certain  that  the  other 
Parts  ftiould  receive  £  more  Blood 
every  day  by  cutting  off  a  Leg,  more  or 
lefs  according  to  other  Circumftances 
to  be  affign'd  in  another  Place.  But  as 
the  Diet  of  People  in  that  Condition 
is  always  under  the  natural  Quanti- 
ty, and  of  fuch  things  as  do  not  in- 
creafe  the  Velocity  of  the  Blood,  this 
iinmenfe  Quantity  cannot  accrue 
from  an  Amputation  under  fuch  a 
Regimen.  Wherefore  a  Quantity  of 
Blood  greater  than  natural ,  does 
not  proceed  from  an  Amputation 
till  after  a  total  Recovery.  What 
happens  afterwards,  when  People  eat 
and  drink  heartily  of  what  they  did 
before  when  they  were  in  Health, 
and  their  Body  was  entire,  is  a  Que- 
ftion  well  worth  confidering,  and  will 


Of  a  Dyfentery,  21 

reafily  be  explained  by  what  is  faid  in 
the  0 economic  Animalis. 

The  other  Branch  from  a  Plethora 
is  thus  explained  by  Hippocrates.  Thefe, 
fays  he,  are  the  Confequences  of  a 
Fulnefs  in  thofe    who  digeft  their 
Meat  very  well,  but  their  Flefh  does 
not  receive  it.    It  daily  heats  and  dif- 
^turbs  the   Body,   and    occafions  a 
Loofnefs  ;  This  is  its  Name  while 
the  Food  only  rotting  paffes  by  Stool. 
But  when  the  Body   is  warm'd  and 
fharp  Parts  are  purg'd  off ;  the  Guts 
are  corroded  and  exulcerated,  and  in- 
digefted  things  are  purg'd  off,  this  is 
call'd  a  Dyjeutery.    This  Account  of 
Hippocrates . may  be  fufficicntly  under- 
ftood  by  what  has  been  already  faid, 
and  it  is  very  certain  that  a  Plethora 
may  caufe  fuch  Secretions,  fharp  and 
acrimonious,  as  he  alledges.    In  due 
time  it  will  be  made  appear,  that  the 
Velocity  of  Blood  does  not  encreafe 
with  its  Quantity  ;  tho'  this  Quanti- 
ty were  in  no  refpeft  any  Hindrance 
to  its  Motion. 

XXI.  It  being  thus  manifeft  how 
thefe  Caufes  do  produce  the  Symp- 
P  4  toms 


2i  6        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

toms  along  with  a  Dyfentery  we  pur-? 
fue  the  former  Method,  and  fhew 
how  thofe  Symptoms  th^t  fucceed  a 
Dyfentery  depend  on  both.  Only  it 
mull  be  obfervM,  that  the  Symp- 
toms and  Caufes  of  a  Dyfentery,  com- 
mon with  it  and  a  Diarrhea,  by  which 
they  are  comprehended  under  a  Loot 
nefs  in  general,  are  not  here  particu- 
larly explained,  having  been  formerly 
accounted  for  in  the  Chapter  of  a  D/r 
arrbcea. 

a  Lofs  of  §u  XXII.  The  firft  Confequence 
Fiefli.  tfaQn  0f  ^  Duration  °f  a  Dyfentery 
is  the  Lofs  of  Fiefli  and  Strength. 
Now  as  Flelh  is  a  Quantity  of  Blood 
in  the  Veffels  of  a  Mufcle,  and  as  the 
Blood  is  diminifh'd  by  extraordinary 
Secretions  in  every  Loofnefs,  and  its 
Supply  carry'd  off,  but  particularly 
in  a  Dyfentery ,  there  is  a  Quantity  of 
Blood  difcharg'd  by  the  Guts  ;  and  it  is 
no  wonder  that  the  Quantity  of  Fiefli 
ihould  be  likewife  diminifh'd. 

A  fyfin-  §.  XXIII.  It  has  already  been  ob- 
dom^u-  ferv'd  that  thefe  Caruncles  are  a  fun- 
ded when  gous  Flefh  ?  or  a  Cancerous  Excref 
caruncle?.  cence 


Of  a  Dyfentery  217 

cence.  In  either  of  thefe  Cafes,  the 
Cure  mull  be  very  difficult,  and  they 
that  have  fuch  muft  often  be  without 
any  Hopes  of  Recovery.  But  if  this 
Flefliy  Excrefcence  is  Cancerous,  the 
Profpect  of  Health  is  ftill  at  a  grea- 
ter diftance,  fince  a  Cancer  or  Car- 
cinomatous Tumours  are  known  to 
be  of  all  Swellings  the  moft  untra&a- 
ble  and  hard  to  be  manag'd.  Where- 
fore, it  is  with  great  reafon  that  Hip- 
pocrates fays,  that  it  is  a  mortal  Sign 
to  void  thefe  Caruncles  in  time  of  a 
Dyfentery. 

§.  XXIV.  Now  in  time  of  all  this  ALofs  of 
Evacuation,  if  the  Defire  of  Eating  yerydan- 
likewife  fails,  all  Hopes  of  any  Sup-  gerous* 
ply  are  cut  off,  and  thefe  immenfe  ^nyfpe" 
Secretions  from  the  Blood,  and  the  withaFe- 
great  Difcharge  of  Blood  it  felf  con-  ver* 
ltantly  going  on  without  any  Sub- 
Itance  to  recruit  this  Blood,  will  re- 
duce any  one  to  the  utmoft  Scarcity 
of  Blood,  or  at  leaft  to  fuch  a  Scar- 
city whereby  all  animal  Actions  ceafe, 
and  bring  Life  to  its  lall  Period. 
This  is  fooner  done  if  a  Lofs  of  Ap- 
petite is  join'd  with  a  Fever.  For 


2i  8        Of  a  Dyfentery 

a  Fever  increafes  this  Proftration  of 
Appetite,  keeps  up  the  Dyfentery  y  and 
weakens  the  Perfon  ill  of  it  :  And 
therefore,  a  Lofs  of  Appetite  in  time 
of  a  Dyfentery  is  always  dangerous., 
but  the  more  that  it  is  attended  with 
a  Fever. 

^Guts  §.  XXV.  We  have  feen  that  a  Dy- 
2md.in  a"  finery  IS  caus'd  by  a  greater  Quan*- 
tity  of  Blood,  or  Blood  in  a  greater 
Motion  pre(Rng  dire&ly  on  the  Vef- 
fels  of  the  Guts :  But  a  Quantity  of 
Blood  greater  than  natural,  or  flowing 
ithorow  their  Arteries  with  a  greater 
Velocity  fo  as  to  burft  them,  mull 
extend  thefe  Veffels  to  their  utmoft 
Capacity  before  the  Blood  breaks  out 
into  the  Guts.  But  Veffels  thus  di- 
ftended  with  Blood  are  thinner,  and 
•will  have  the  Colour  of  the  Liquor 
which  extends  them,  which  is  Blood, 
the  Veffels  of  the  Guts  v/ill  be  red- 
der than  natural,  hi  e.  they  will  be 
inflam'd;  and  this  Inflammation  be- 
ing along  with  the  fmall  Emilfaries 
of  Blood,  the  Guts  will  appear  as  bit, 
as  defcrib'd  rightly  by  Monfieur  Dre~ 
lincourt* 

§,  XXVI.  By 


Of  a  Dyfenteiy.         2 1 9 

§.  XXVI.  By  this  great  Evacua-  Thin* 
ation  of  Blood,  the  Veffels  of  the 
whole  Body  are  every  where  drained 
of  Blood  ;  and  by  this  their  being 
drain'd  their  inward  Surfaces  are  nea- 
rer one  another  on  the  account  of 
their  reftitutive  Force,  this  diftending 
Power  of  the  Blood  being  removed 
or  very  much  leffen'd.  Now  it  being 
by  the  Fulnefs  of  the  Veffels  of  any 
Part  that  it  is  thick,  when  thefe 
Veffels  are  lauk  and  empty  of  Blood 
die  Part  is  Thin.  Wherefore  it  is 
manifeft,  that  in  time  of  a  Dyfentery 
the  Guts  mull  be  Thin,  their  Veffels, 
but  efpecially  their  Arteries,  being 
drained  of  Blood  and  other  Liquors. 
Moreover,by  their  violent  Contraction, 
and'  becaufe  their  Contents  are  forc'd 
out  precipitantly,  the  Mucm  of  the 
Inteftines  is  not  only  worn  off,  but 
their  Veffels  too  are  rubb'd  thinner. 
And  thus  it  is  again  manifeft  how 
the  Guts  are  Thin,  becaufe  of  this 
Affeftion  in  a  Dyfentery  \  and  this 
Thinnefs  will  occafion  a  more  eafy 
Burfting  of  their  Arteries  on  the  lealt 
Augmentation  of  the  Quantity  or  Ve- 
locity of  the  Blood. 

§,  XXVII,  But 


20        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

Scirrhous.  §.  XXVII.  But  as  the  Blood  in 
this  Difeafe  is  driven  along  with  a 
Velocity  greater  than  natural,  fo 
does  it  and  every  Liquor  feparated 
from  it  arrive  at  the  fmall  Veffels  in 
a  greater  abundance,  and  there  is 
more  particularly  a  greater  Afflux 
at  the  Veffels  of  the  Guts  where  the 
Blood  is  difchargM  in  a  great  Quan- 
tity. But  by  this  greater  Afflux  of 
Blood,  and  the  more  plentiful  Secre- 
tion of  its  Liquors,  the  more  folid 
Particles  in  the  Blood  fubfift  more 
readily  in  the  capillary .  Veffels,  and 
occafion  Obftru&ions  in  thefe  Vef- 
fels and  the  Glands  of  the  Mefentery 
and  of  the  Guts  :  Now  by  thefe  Ob- 
ftru£Hons  and  a  continual  Afflux  of 
Blood,  the  Veffels  of  thefe  Glands, 
or  the  Glands  themfelves  are  diften- 
ded,  and  this  Diftention  of  Glands 
being  by  the  folid  Particles  of  Blood 
make  thefe  augmented  Glands  hard ; 
but  hard  and  tumify'd  Glands  are  a 
Scirrhus.  Wherefore  it  is  evident . 
why  the  Mefentery  and  Guts  become 
Scirrhous  in  a  long  Continuance  of  a 
Dyfentery,  as  is  commonly  obferv'd. 


§.  XXVIIL  It 


Of  a  Dyfentery^  221 

§.  XXVIII.  It  has  been  lately  fhewn  uicera^ 
how  Ulcers  are  generated  in  the  ted- 
Courfe  of  a  Dyfentery  :  and  from  what 
was  then  faid  it  is  manifeft,  that  as 
the  Guts  are  a  membranous  Subftance 
which  is  harder  than  Flefh,  fo  they 
are  more  difficult  to  cure  when  Ul- 
cers are  got  among  them,  as  is  found 
by  daily  Experience  in  thofe  that  are 
external,  and  allow  of  Applications. 
Here  it  is  very  proper  to  obferve, 
that  as  the  Piles  are  often  miftaken 
for  a  Dyfentery  \  lb  thefe  Ulcers  of 
the  Guts,  are  often  miftaken  for  a  D;- 
arrhcea  or  a  Dyfentery,  This  I  have 
frequently  met  with  among  Old  Peo- 
ple that  have  been  long  troubled  with 
the  Piles  ;  which  they  commonly  take 
for  a  Diarrbcea  or  a  Dyfentery,  accor- 
ding to  the  Symptoms :  and  few  of 
their  Phyficians  but  what  have  fallen 
into  the  fame  Errour,  Yet  this  may 
be  avoided,  if  they  only  obferve  the 
Courfe  of  the  Difeafe :  and  they  will 
be  fure  to  find,  that  thefe  People  have 
feveral  Days  free  from  Stools  without 
the  Help  of  any  Medicines,  and  their 
Stools  return  again  without  any  ma- 
riifeft  Caufe;  and  that  in  the  Inter- 

vals 


222        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

vals*of  this  Loofnefs,  there  is  an  Oozing 
of  a  ferous  Subftance.  I  have  frequently 
feen  People  who  have  had  their  Oo- 
zing and  Stooling  Days:  For  a  Day 
or  two  they  have  not  had  any  Stool, 
but  they  voided  a  fometimes  a  pu- 
rulent, and  fometimes  a  bloody  Se- 
rum ;  Thereafter,  two  or  three  Stools 
of  a  good  Condition,  but  then  there 
follow'd  loofe  Stools  exa£Hy  as  in  a 
Diarrhea,  and  at  other  times  like  a 
Dyfentery,  juft  as  if  they  were  provok'd 
with  a  Suppofitory.  And  certainly 
the  Operation  is  much  the  fame ;  On- 
ly that  of  a  Suppofitory  is  foon  at  an 
end,  otherwife  than  in  the  Cafe  of 
thefe  Ulcers  in  the  Reftum  and  Anus. 

There  is  a  XXIX.  Now  fince  a  Gangreen  is 
Gangreen.  Mortification  of  any  Part  becaufe 
of  a  great  Inflammation,  and  that  in 
time  of  a  Dyfentery  the  Guts  are  often 
inflam'd,  it  is  evident  that  in  time 
of  a  Dyfentery)  and  when  it  has  lafted 
fome  confiderable  time,  there  maybe 
a  Gangreen  in  the  Guts. 

And  death    §.  XXX.  By  the  continuing  of  a 
Dyfentery  an  Interruption  and  a  total 

Stop 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  2 

Stop  may  be  put  to  the  Circulation 
of  the  Bipod,  or  by  it  Death  is  occa- 
fion'd.  Firjly  by  the  means  of  a  Gan- 
green :  For  the  Blood  flopping  in  the 
Mefenterick  Arteries,  foon  occafions 
a  total  Stop  of  the  Circulation ;  fince 
the  upper  and  lower  Mefenterick 
Arteries  were  obferv'd  to  be  Branches 
of  the  defcending  Aorta.  Now  Blood 
thus  fubfifting  in  the  Mefenterick  Ar- 
teries, but  efpecially  the  upper  which 
of  the  two  is  firit  fent  off,  and  is  the 
lecond  Divifion  after  the  Aorta,  has 
enter'd  the  Abdomen,  fo  as  it  cannot 
be  protruded  by  the  fubfequent  Blood, 
muft  occafion  this  Blood  to  flop.  alfo. 
But .  this  fubfequent  Blood,  that  pro- 
pells  the  Blood  in  the  Mefenterick 
Arteries,  is  that  of  the  Aorta :  there- 
fore there  is  a  Stoppage  of  Blood  in 
the  Aorta,  and  in  the  left  Ventricle 
it  felf  -7  and  confequently  no  Circula- 
tion, or  Death.  Befides  as  there  are 
many  more  ways  how  Death  is  brought 
about,  lb  this  is  not  an  uncommon 
one  by  the  meer  Continuation  of  the- 
Difeafe.  For,  by  its  Duration,  a 
great  Quantity  of  Blood  is  evacuated 


224        Of  a  Dyfentery, 

by  the  Inteftines,  and  by  this  Lofs 
of  Blood,  Spirits  are  neither  fepara- 
ted  in  a  due  quantity  in  the  Brain, 
nor  propelPd  thro'  the  Nerves.  Now, 
it  is  by  a  Quantity  of  Spirits  driven 
into  the  Heart  that  it  is  contracted, 
and  by  this  its  Contraction  that  the 
Blood  is  thrown  out  of  the  left  Ven- 
tricle and  driven  round  the  Body. 
So  that  this  Quantity  of  Spirits  fail- 
.  ing ,  the  Heart:  is  not  contra&ed, 
nor  the  Blood's  Motion  continued, 
and  there  is  confequently  Death. 

confe-  §. ■ XXXI.  This  is  the  Courfe 
quencesof  an(j  Qlain  0f  t\{iS  Diftemper  pro- 

an  ill  cure.  .  ,  ^  .*  . 

ceeding  without  a  Cure:  if  it  is 
cur'd  improperly,  or  a  Stop  put  to 
thefe  Evacuations  without  taking  off 
this  Affeftion  of  the  Blood  by  which 
the  Difeafe  was  firft  occafion'd,  as 
ill  or  worfe  Affe£tions  are  commonly 
A  NUnia.  produc'd.  And  firft,  a  Mania  is  found 
to  be  the  EffeQ:  of  fuch  a  Cure :  For 
fuch  things  being  adminifter'd  that 
ftrengthen  the  Guts  fo  that  Blood 
does  not  burft  out  of  their  VelTels 
as  before,  yet  this  greater  Quantity 
of  Blood,  or  its  greater  Velocity  than 

natural? 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  i 

natural,  as  is  necelfary  when  this  Ir- 
ruption is  hindred  without  removing 
its  Caufe.  In  that  cafe  the  Contrac- 
tion of  Mufcles  is  more  vigoroufly 
performed,  our  Imaginations  irregular 
and  violent,  or  there  is  a  Mania  :  For 
it  is  only  a  Delirium  without  a  Fe- 
ver, attended  with  Boldnefs,  Fury; 
&c.  proceeding  from  the  Mobility  of 
the  fmall  Parts  of  the  Blood. 

§.  XXXII.  But  Medicines  that  An 
thus  ftrengthen  the  Blood-VeiTels  ofPkx 
the  Guts,  fo  as  to  hinder  any  Force  of 
Blood  to  break  thorow  them,  and  in 
that  Senfe  cure  the  Dyfentery ;  The 
fame  Medicines  likewife  render  the 
Blood  thicker,  and  make  it  more  ready 
to  ftop,  at  leaft  not  to  flow  fo  freely  as  it 
did  before  any  fuch  Medicines  were  ad- 
minifter'd.  Now,  if  this  Subfiftance  of 
Blood  happens  to'  be  in  the  Brain,  be- 
caufe  of  its  Defeft  or  of  any  other  Caufe, 
In  that  cafe  this  greater  Quantity  of 
Blood  filling  its  Blood  Vellels  there 
will  comprefs  the  Beginning  of  the 
Nerves,  and  hinder  the  Secretion  and 
Derivation  of  animal  Spirits ;  the  want 
of  which  in  a  due  Quantity  will  put 
d  the 


226        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

the  Patient  into  a  State  that  has  the 
leaft  Degree  of  Life  in  it,  or  there 
will  follow  an  Apoplexy :  And  all  this 
happens  upon  the  account  of  the  Dj- 
fentery  being  untimely  and  improperly 
cur'd.  Wherefore  an  Apoplexy  rea- 
dily follows  an  ill  cur'd  Dyfentery,  as 
has  been  fometimes  obferv'd. 

a  Pieuri-  §.  XXXIIL  Upon  this  very  ac- 
count  it  is,  that  Applications,  Cly- 
fters  efpecially  &"c.  curing  this  Difeafe 
in  this  improper  time  produce  more 
readily  a  Pleurify :  For  this  Efflux  of 
Blood  being  impeded  at  the  Mefente- 
rick  Arteries,  the  Blood  muft  flow 
more  flowly  through  them  even  into 
the  Aorta  and  left  Ventricle  of  the 
Heart,  and  confequently  in  all  its  Ra- 
mifications between  the  Heart  and 
Mefentericfc  Arteries.  But  Blood  fub- 
fifting  in,  and  not  flowing  fo  freely 
by  the  intercoftal  Arteries,  diftends- 
them  and  gives  Pain.  Now  Pain  in 
that  Part  is  what  we  call  a  Pleurify ; 
And  therefore  a  Dyfentery  improperly 
cur'd  very  readily  caufes  a  Pleurify. 
For  this  very  reafon,  other  Diftem- 
pers- are  ftill  more  readily  made  this 

way 


Of  a  Dyfenteiy.  227 

way  than  a  Pleurify  it  felf:  and  (a) 
Hippocrates  obferves  that  when  a  Dj- 
fintery  is  ftopp'd  there  is  a  Varix,  or 
a  Pain  fettled  at  the  Tefticles,  the 
Thighs,  or  Groin;  all  which  appears 
manifeftly  true  from  the  fame  Reafon 
immediately  mentioned* 

§.  XXXIV.  Yet  when  Blood  is  hiri-  a  Vomi: 
der'd  to  flow  into  the  Guts  by  the  tcin§and 

,1  1  J  Spitting 

mention  d  means,  and  continues  its  0f  Blood; 
Velocity  at  other  Places,  and  alfo 
its  greater  Quantity,  Then  it  is,  that 
the  VelTels  in  other  Parts  become 
more  diftended  and  are  not  able  to 
refift  this  Prelfure  of  much  Blood 
flowing  with  a  greater  Impetus,  but 
are  burft;  and  accordingly  Blood  is 
voided  from  the  Parts  which  have 
their  Veffels  thus  broken.  If  this 
Blood  is  voided  into  the  Stomachy 
it  creates  Vomiting  :  If  into  the  Lungs 
Coughing  up  and  Spitting  of  Blood. 
Now  this  Spitting  and  Vomiting  of 
Blood  is  upon  the  account  of  the 
Guts  being  fo  ftrengthenM  as  to  hin- 
der a  Difcharge  of  Blood  in  to  them9 
2  without 


id)  Lib;de  A  cut.  pag.  391. 


2  28        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

without  Means  of  leffening  its  Quan- 
tity, Velocity,  and  other  Caufes  of 
this  Evacuation;  it  is  therefore  evi- 
dent how  an  improper  Cure  of  a  Dj- 
fentery  caufes  a  Vomiting  and  Spitting 
of  Blood. 

And  a         XXXV.  But  by  whatever  ways 

Dropfy.    tfas  £]oocl  is  Jet  out>   yet  [f  jt  CQnt{„ 

nues  to  be  voided  for  feme  time,,  but 
efpecially  with  a  Loofnefs,  it  muft 
needs  become  thicker  and  more  flow- 
ly  propell'd,  and  thus  more  apt  to 
fubfift  in  the  fmalleft  and  extremeft 
Veffels.  Now  by  this  Subfiftance  and 
kind  of  Stoppage,  the  Parts  in  the 
Extremities  are  diftended  and  grow 
thicker,  or  become  Dropfical.  Where- 
fore it  is  manifeft  how  in  this  State 
of  a  Dyfentery  there  may  be  form'd  a 
Dropfy.  Befides,  the  Medicines  that 
occafions  this  improper  Cure  of  a  Dy- 
fentery are  very  commonly  of  that  Na- 
ture as  to  thicken  the  Blood;  and 
from  thence  it  becomes  ftill  more  ob- 
vious how  this  Affection  of  the  Blood, 
or  how  this  improper  way  of  curing, 
a  Dyfentery  is  the  Caufe  of  a  Dropfy. 


§.XXXYL  We 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  229 

XXXVL    We  have    hitherto  a 
found  by  Experience  what  Mifchiefs  fn^huefefal 
have  happened  upon  the  Continuance  scurvy, 
of  a   Dyfentery.    Yet  Hippocrates  has 
obferv'd,  that  a  Dyfentery  is  not  always 
hurtful ;  on  the  contrary,  that  it  has 
been  ufeful  in  other  Difiempers  when 
it  keeps  within  Bounds.    He  is  more 
particular  in  the  cafe  of  the  Scurvy, 
and  thinks  he  has  found  a  gentle  Dy- 
fentery beneficial  in  its  Cure:  tho'  it 
conftantly  ends  in  a  IJropfy  when  it 
has  continued  any  time  in  the  very 
fame  Diftemper.    Now  to  account, 
in  fome  meafure,  for  this  Obfervation , 
it  is  evident,  from  what  I  have  ihewn 
elfewhere,  that  the  Scurvy  is  always 
attended  with  red  Spots  in  the  Arms 
and  Legs,  &c.  which  Spots  are  the 
Effefts  of  Blood  burfting  the  Capilla- 
ries of  thefe  Parts  and  kept  in  by  the 
Skin.    But  in  cafe  of  a  Dyfentery, 
where  there  is  a  great  Difcharge  of 
Blood  by  the  Inteftines,  the  Blood 
does  not  fo  readily  burfl:  thefe  capil- 
lary Arteries  in  the  Legs  and  Arms: 
Wherefore,  in  a  Dyfentery,  Blood  is 
not  thus  voided ;  or  a  Dyfentery  be- 
comes a  Cure  for  the  Scurvy.  More- 
Q,  3  over , 


23a        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

over ,  as  the  Scurvy  is  caus'd  by  a 
Quantity  of  fait  grofs  Blood,   fo  3. 
Quantity  of  Blood  voided  in  a  Dyfen- 
tery will,  like  other  Bleedings  in  fome 
cafes,  not  only  leffen  the  Quantity 
but  augment  the  Fluidity  of  Blood : 
Now  the  Quantity  of  Blood  being 
lefs,  and  its  Fluidity  greater,  can  ne- 
ver burft  the  Capillaries  of  the  ex- 
treme Parts,    Wherefore  it  is  evident 
that  a  Dyfentery  muft  cure  a  Scurvy 
in  fuch  Circunjftances,    Befides,  thefe 
red  Spots,  and  even  when  they  be- 
black  and  of  other  Colours,  are  only 
wafted  in  a  more  vivid  Tranfpira- 
tion ,  and  the  Blood  being  rendered 
more  fluid  by  this  Fit  of  a  Dyfentery^ 
the  Tranfpiration  is    alfo  more  vi- 
vid,   But  a  Dyfentery  makes  a  more 
vivid  Tranfpiration   in  the  Cure  of 
thefe  Spots  :  Wherefore  a  Scurvy  is 
not  only  prevented,  but  cur'd  by  a 
moderate  Dyfentery.    But  if  this  Dy- 
fentery continues,  then  the  Grolfnefs 
of  Blood  in  the  Scurvy  becomes  grea- 
ter ;  and  by  it  a,  Dropfy  is  made,  as 
has  been  juft  now  fhewn.    Thus  the 
other  Part  of  the  Obfervation  becomes 
manifeft,  that  this  Dyfentery  muft  not 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  231 

laft:  for   then  it  does  hurt,  and  a 
Dropfy  will  enfue. 

§.  XXXVII.    By  what  has  been  pWtot » 
iaid,  it  is  now  evident  that  a  Dyjen-  . 
/Try  is    f/ni/"  0/  Loofnefs  wherein 

Blood  is  voided,  and  that  always  mtx'd 
in  with  the  Scools. 

§.  XXXVIII.  The  Prognofticks  in  a  ftipkrs°Sne" 
Dyfentery  are,  in  general,  the  fame  as  1C  s' 
were  mentioned  in  a  Diarrhoea.  So 
that  all  external  Caufes  are  more  ea- 
fily  removM  than  thofe  that  are  in 
the  Body  it  felf.  Hence  it  is  Br/?, 
that  a  Dyfentery  proceeding  from  fharp 
Aliment  is  eafily  cur'd. 

Secondly,  On  the  other  fide,  that  a 
Dyfentery  from  Black  Gall  is  mortal ; 
as  has  been  explained  from  Hippocra- 
tes. And  they  who  are  ill  of  a  Dy- 
fentery, voiding  a  Subftance  like  Carun- 
cles, are  hardly  ever  curM. 

Thirdly,  Hippocrates  obferves  that  a 
Loathing  of  Food  is  a,n  ill  Sign,  when 
any  one  has  been  long  ill  of  a  Dyfen- 
tery, but  worfe  if  attended  with  a 
Fever. 


0,4  Fourthly,  A 


2        Of  a  Dyfentery." 

Fourthly,  A  great  Number  of  the 
mentioned  Symptoms  together  is  al- 
ways frightful  and  dangerous,  tho' 
nothing  io  much  as  fome  of  the  for- 
mer :  Such  are  immoderate  Watching; 
black,  {linking  Stools.;  a  plentiful  Eva- 
cuation of  Blopd;  a  Lientery  coming 
upon  it ;  a  Hickup ;  Vomiting  of  Gall ; 
a  great  Drought. 

Fifthly,  Hippocrates  has  found  that 
Old  People  and  Children  have  been 
oftner  carried  off  in  this  Diftemper, 
than  thofe  of  a  middle  Age. 

§.  XXXIX.  The  Maxim's  eftablifh'd 
'C/Z  among  Phyfitians  for  curing  a  Dyfentery 
have  been  to  give  a  Vomit. 

Purging  is  alio  very  much  commend- 
ed by  moft  Authors. 

Bleeding  is  much  efteem'd  of  by 
Tralli anas,  Aetius,  and  others,  (a)  Hip- 
pocrates fays  that  the  Wife  of  Epichar- 
mu$  was  ill  of  a  Dyfentery  before  fhe 
was  brought  to  Bed  ;  fhe  had  Pain  ; 
her  Stools  were  Mucous  and  Bloody ; 
but  fhe  was  wel>  as  foon  as  fhe  was 
delivered.  . 

Galen,  Qnbajixs,  Aet'ms,  Vander  Hey- 
den,  and  Sydenham,  run  much  into  the 
■ —  •   Praife 

(a)  Progn,  v 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  233 

Fraife  of  infipid  Clyfters  ;  which  are 
not  endued  with  any  evident  Quali- 
ty of  Aitringency  or  Purging. 

Aftringent  Medicines  are  eipecially 
us'd  in  the  Cure  of  a  Dyfentery. 

Diuretick    Medicines  have  been 
found  very  beneficial. 
Coition  is  found  ufeful  by  (a)  Hippocrates. 

Jaccbinu*  recommends  fitting  in  a 
Bath  to  the  Navel,  and  gives  us  Forms 
of  fuch  Baths  as  he  would  employ. 

§.  XL.  The  Method  for  curing  a 
Dyfentery  muft  altogether  tend  to  the  indica. 
Curing  of  the  Loofnefs  and  of  the  tioos. 
Flux  of  Blood  ;  Many  things  doing 
a  Part  of  this  Office  only,  leaving 
either  the  Blood  or  Loofnefs  uncur'd. 
So  that  whatever  Method  anfwers 
both  thefe  Defigns  moft  effe&ually, 
muft  always  be  reputed  the  beft. 

§.  XLI.  Firjlj  then ,  as  to  vo- 
miting ;  its  known  Operation  is  to  Vomiting. 
difcharge  every  thing  out  of  the 
Stomach  that  is  contained  in  it.  But 
indigefted  and  acrimonious  Matter 
contained  in  the  Stomach  is  often  the 
Caufe  of  a  Loofnefs,  as  has  been 


(4)  1  Epidemic. 


234        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

already  fliewn  in  the  foregoing  Chap- 
ters: it  has  likewife  been  fhewn  in 
this,  that  it  is  the  Caufe  of  a  Dyfen- 
tery. Wherefore  in  cafes  of  a  Dyfen- 
tery occafion'd  by  fuch  Indigeftion,  a 
Vomit  is  a  very  proper  Medicine, 
toging.  and  commonly  cures  it.  Purging 
alfo  produces  the  fame  Effeft  in 
fome  Degree  with  a  Vomit ;  but  fuch 
Medicines  require  greater  Caution  in 
dofing  them  in  this  Cafe,  than  on  any 
other  Occafion. 

feeding.  XLII.  'Tis  undeniable  that  a 
Quantity  of  Blood  is  loft  by  Bleed- 
ing; and  a  Dyfentery  often  happen- 
ing by  a  greater  Quantity,  may  rea- 
fonably  be  help'd  by  Bleeding.  In 
time  of  Bleeding  too,  the  Efflux  of 
Blood  at  the  EmilTary  is  quicker  than 
at  the  fmall  Wounds  in  the  Guts : 
and  therefore  in  time  of  Bleeding, 
efpecially  from  the  afcending  Bran- 
ches, Blood  will  run  lefs  at  the 
Wounds  of  the  Guts  than  before  the 
Bleeding;  and  by  confequence,  the 
Stools  will  not  be  fo  bloody,  or  may 
have  no  Blood  among  them  at  all. 
Thus  it  is  manifeft   how  Bleeding 

may 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  2 

may  remove  the  Blood  in  a  Dyfente- 
ry. Moreover,  it  has  elfewhere  been 
fhewn  that  not  only  the  Quantity 
and  Velocity  of  Blood  may  become  lets 
by  Bleeding  ;  but  alfo  that  its  Fluidi- 
ty may  be  acquired  thereby.  Now 
a  Dyfentery  happens  upon  the  ac- 
count of  this  Thicknefs  of  Blood,  and 
its  augmented  Velocity ;  which  Con- 
ditions or  Qualities  of  Blood  are  men- 
ded by  Bleeding  ;  Wherefore  Bleeding 
is  a  proper  and  good  Cure  for  a  Dy- 
fentery. 

But  here  let  it  be  obferv'd  that  thefe 
Means,  by  Bleeding  only  hinder  and 
cure  the  voiding  of  Blood  into  the  In- 
teftines,  but  does  not  at  all  affe£t  the 
Loofnefs,  if  that  is  produc'd  by  fome 
Caufe  common  to  it,  and  provoking 
Blood :  and  therefore  the  Blood  may 
be  prevented  and  the  loofe  Stools  go 
on,  as  has  been  already  mentioned, 
and  has  often  been  found  true  in 
Obfervation.  Am&tw  the  Portuguefe 
has  a  memorable  Inftance  of  this  kind. 
A.  candid  and  honeft  Phyfician,  fays 
he,  was  fent  to,  for  a  fick  Perfon 
who  had  been  ill  of  a  long  Dyfentery, 
that  had  lafted  thirty  Days,  and  with 


2%6        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

it  had  a  very  great  Fever,  and  was 
become  very  lean  and  weak,  the 
Loofnefs  ftill  continuing  violent  with 
much  Blood  :  This  Phyfician  had  his 
Patient  let  Blood  from  the  Bafilick 
Vein  of  the  right  Arm.  But  liften 
well  to  the  furprizing  Succefs ;  ftrait, 
and  'tis  wonderful,  the  Blood  ceasM 
the  Loofnefs  ftill  continuing^ 

ACiyfter  §.  XLIIL  Lean  and  infipid  Cly- 
maigre.  fters  are  commonly  made  of  fuch 
things  as  fuffer  the  watry  Parts  of 
the  Compofition  to  be  faturated  with 
the  Subftances  it  meets  with  in  the 
Rectum.  But  they  being  iharp  and 
indigefted  ftimulate  the  Guts,  efpe- 
cially  the  Rectum,  and  provoke  a 
greater  Difcharge  of  Serum  and  Blood. 
Now  thefe  Subftances  being  either 
diffolvM  in  thefe  maigre  Clyfters,  or 
carry' d  off  by  thpir  common  Tor* 
rent,  it  is  evident  that  the  Rectum 
is  not  Simulated  for  a  long  time, 
Serum  lefs  difcharg'd  upon  the  fame 
account,  and  the  fmall  EmilTaries 
are  ftoppM  up  with  the  Blood  flow- 
ing from  them  ;  or  which  is  the  fame, 
thing  there  is  no  Vyfentery  and  all 


Of  a  Dyfenteiy.  237 

this  occafion'd  by  Clyfters  Mafores. 
Wherefore,  they  may  conduce  much 
to  the  Cure  of  a  Dyfentery  on  all  oc- 
cafions,  and  be  the  Cure  of  it  on 
fome. 

§.  XLIV.  As  Aftringent  Medicines  e^en; 
are  moft  commonly  us'd  in  the  Cure  aicineT 
of  a  Dyfentery,  and  on  which  Phyfi- 
cians  feem  to  have  the  greateft  De- 
pendence, So  their  direft  Operation 
being  to  contraft  the  Orifice  of  blee- 
ding Velfels,  and  to  congeal  the  Blood 
flowing  out  of  them,  they  are  equal- 
ly proper  for  that  purpofe  when  ap- 
ply'd  to  the  bleeding  Emilfaries  in 
the  Guts  as  they  are  in  any  other 
part:-  and  as  thefe  Wounds  are  very 
lmall,  fo  they  more  eafily  refift  this 
Efflux  of  Blood,  whether  that  be  by 
contrafting  the  Orifices,  or  by  co- 
agulating the  Blood  in  them.  Befides 
Medicines  endued  with  Aftringing 
Qualities  lelfen  the  Velocity  of  Blood, 
and  make  the  Parts  of  Blood  more 
unfit  for  palling  thofe  fmall  Orifices-: 
fo  that  on  both  thefe  accounts,  but 
efpecially  the  firft,  the  Blood  dees 
not  eafily  burft  the  Veffels,  nor  is  it  apt 

to 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

to  be  driven  through  thefe  Emifla* 
ries.  Wherefore,  on  all  thefe  Confi- 
derations,  Aftringent  Medicines  are 
often  proper  and  fuccefsful  Means  to 
cure  a  Dyfentery.  Moreover,  by  thefe 
Medicines  the  bloody  Efflux  is  not 
only  prevented  and  cur'd,  but  they 
were  found  formerly  proper  for  cu- 
ring the  Loofnefs.  And  therefore, 
Aftringent  Medicines  artfully  manag'd 
are  very  ufeful  to  cure  a  Dyfentery  in 
every  circumftance  and  refpeft. 

§.  XL V.  It  has  been  fhewn  already 
what  Diuretick  Medicines  do  in  cur- 
ing a  Loofnefs,  and  it  is  now  mani- 
feft  that  they  are  beneficial  in  curing 
a  Dyfentery ;  not  only  in  what  they  do 
in  the  Cure  of  a  Loofnefs  common 
to  a  Dyfentery,  but  alfo  by  difcharging 
a   greater  Quantity  of  Urine.  For 
the  Quantity  of  Urine  increafing,  the 
Blood  is  not  fo  readily  forcM  through 
the  fmall  Emiffariesin  the  Guts,  and 
by  thefe  means  the  Voiding  of  Blood 
muft  be  lefs.    The  Velocity  of  the 
Blood  is  likewife  lefs  on  this  acount, 
as  alfo  by  the  greater  Evacuation  of 
Urine :  and  therefore  the  Danger  of 

burft- 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  239 

burfting  the  capillary  Veffels  is  ftill  lefs. 
So  that  now  it  is  evident  that  an  Efflux 
of  Blood  is  prevented  by  Diuretick  Me- 
dicines, and  that  they  cure  a  Diarrhoea : 
and  therefore  Diuretick  Medicines  are 
very  proper  to  cure  a  Dyfentery. 

§.  XL  VI.  Now  as  Coition  and  Bath-  Coition  & 
ing  do  little  more  here  than  what  Bathin&* 
has  been  already  explain'd  in  the 
Cafe  of  a  Diarrhcea,  'tis  needlefs  to 
repeat  what  was  faid  in  the  (V)  men- 
tioned Place.    Yet  Coition  more  par- 
ticularly operating  like  Bleeding,  it 
may  be  ufeful  on  that  account.  Be- 
fides,  Coition  leffens  the  Velocity  of 
Blood  more  than  Bleeding  in  a  vaffc 
Difproportion  to  their  Quantities :  it 
is  therefore  evident  that  Coition  is 
a  much  more  effeftal  Remedy  than 
Bleeding,  all  due  Circumftances  being 
confider'd  in  the  Practice. 

Now  tho'  Coition  may  have  this 
Effeft  in  the  Cure  of  a  Dyfentery^ 
yet  the  Learned  (b)  Monfieur  Le  Clerc 
will  not  allow  of  the  Goodnefs  of  this 
Remedy,  but  alledges-  that  this  Opi- 
nion is  founded  on  Authors  who  had' 

mifapprehenderf 

(*)  pag«  92*  Hiftoire  de  la  Medicine  (£)  pas,.  231. 


Of  a  Dyfentef  y. 

mifapprehended  the  Words  of  Hippos 
crates,  and  that  fuch  an  obfcene  Prac- 
tice was  altogether  inconfiftent  with 
the  Modefty  and  Chaftnefs  of  that 
Phyfician.  I  have  already  explained 
what  EfFeft  this  A&ion  may  have 
abftra&ly  from  all  Authority :  and  as 
the  Criticifm  of  (a)  Monfieur  Dacier 
is.  very  ingenious,  I  fhall  take  the 
fame  Liberty  with  it  as  Le  Clerc 
has  done,  and  leave  it  to  the  Judg- 
ment of  the  Reader  what  he  may 
think  the  Senfe  of  Hippocrates  was4 
His  Words  are  to? vim  ax^^i  Ajmnelni  am* 
Now  fuppofing,  fays  Le  Clerc,  nopvim 
and  notTopw  the  firft  of  thefe  Words 
being  found  in  all  the  Manufcripts, 
there  is  not  any  Difficulty  left  about 
the  Word  %e/w$:  and  therefore  Da- 
cier thinks  this  the  Senfe  of  Hip- 
pocrates, that  Coition  is  a  hurtful  and, 
an  abominable  Cure  for  a  Dyfentery.  So 
that,  according  to  him,  we  are  to 
read  axp^v  inftead  of  *x?af*°*  aQd  to 
conftrue  it  with  He  alledges  that 
&x?at"<  is  an  old  Word  and  not  to  be 
found  in  any  Author  but  Hippocrates 

and 


(*)  Remarques  for  le  trofieme  Livre  de  la  Diece. 


Of  a  Dyfentery,  241 

and  Artemidorw,  and  that  it  has  not 
any  certain  and  determined  Senfe. 
Suidas  expounds  it  Impudent  :  but  it 
•  fignifies  likewife  Wicked,  Abominable 
as  *xp*w>  is  the  fame  with  *xw** 
which  Hejychius  explains  Wicked-.  Thus 
Hippocrates  is  fuppos'd  to  mean  that 
this  Remedy,  which  fome  Phyficians 
had  mention'd,  was  notwithstanding 
hurtful  both  to  Health  and  Manners. 
This  and  the  following  Criticifm  in 
he  Clerk  are  indeed  very  ingenious., 
however  confident  the  firft  may  be 
with  the  Opinion  of  Hippocrates,  or 
the  natural  Turpitude  of  the  Cure. 

§.  XL VII.  The  general  Means  of  The*!* 
Phyficians,  in  fatisfying  their  Indi-  dicines 
cations,  being  thus  explained,  the  next 
Step  muft  be  to  lay  before  us  fome 
of  the  beft  Medicines  they  employ 
for  attaining  thefe  Purpofes  thus  ex- 
prefs'd  in  their  Maxims:  and  what 
is  faid  on  this  Subject  being  well 
underftood,  it  will  not  be  difficult  td 
chufe  the  moft  effectual  Medicines, 
and  in  the  moft  proper  times* 

§.  XLVffl.  The  Vomits  more  com-  a  J^ts 
monly  us'd  for  the  Cure  of  a  Dyfen-  ges.  ur 
R  tery 


242        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

tery  in  ancient  and  latter  times,  ha- 
ving been  fully  collected  in  the  Chap- 
ter of  a  DUrrhceay    it  is  not  proper 
to  repeat  them  again  in  this  Place, 
fince  they  may  be  found  in  the  fore- 
going Part  of  this  Book.    Indeed  any 
Vomit  may  be  given  with  equal  Suc- 
cefs,  according  to  the  Churlifhnefs  of 
its  Operation.    More  fickly  Vomits 
being  always  to  be  avoided  whert 
People  are  at  the  greateft  Extremity 
of  Weaknefs.    The  purging.  Medicines 
were  like  wife  noted  in  a  fufficient 
Number,  at  the  fame  time  we  reci- 
ted the  Vomits :  fo  that  it  is  enough 
to  turn  to  that  Place,  where  Num- 
bers of  fuch  Medicines  may  be  found, 

ftfipid  XLDL  As  for  Maigres  Clyf- 
Ciyfters.  ters„.  Celfa  fays  we  fhould  give  Clyf- 
ters  of  a  good  Decoction  of  Barleyr 
or  of  Milk,  or  of  melted  Fat,  or  of 
Deer's  Marrow.  Oyl  alfo,  Butter 
with  Rofes,  or  with  it  Whites  of 
Eggs,  or  Water  in  which  Linfeed  has 
beea  boil'd., 

v-  "-         ifc.  Rad*  afth.  §jv  Horde i  mun d.  vel 
®rjz#  pug.  y  Semin-  Lin*  &  Cydonicr 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  2 

H  5j.  Semin.  Pfyll.  3  ft.  Fl.  ChamemA. 
pug.  ).  F.  decotfio  in  latfe  vel  jufculoy 
addendo  Sevum,  Vitellos,  &  alia,  pra- 
fcripta. 

Amxtus  the  Portuguefe  fays  the  fol- 
lowing Clyfter  is  often  fufficient  to 
cure  a  Dyfentery  by  it  felf. 

%Aq.   Hord,    ibj.  Vitellor.  Ovor* 
N°   ij.  Sack.  Thomaf.  ojft.    F.  Enema. 

But  of  all  the  Medicines  of  this 
fort  whey-Clyfters  have  had  a  moil 
notable  Efteft  :  and  this  is  produced 
with  fome  different  Circumftances,  of 
Sweating  &c  not  obfeiVd  commonly 
to  follow  the  other  Methods. 

Vander  Heyden,  the  City  Phyfician 
of  Ghent  y  was  the  firft  who  brought 
Whey  or  Whey-Clyfters  into  vogue : 
fo  that  great  Quantities  of  it  were 
made  for  that  purpofe  in  Ghenff 
Bruffels,  and  Antwerp ;  tho'  he  more 
efpecially  commended  this  Method 
when  there  was  much  Griping  in 
time  of  the  Dyfentery.  He  printed 
this  his  Method  in  French  1641^  which 
was  foon  followed  by  a  Tranflation 
R  2  of 


Of  a  Dyfentery  - 

of  this  Account  into  Latin,  with  fome 
few  Additions  ;  which  was  reprinted 
in  London  in  1655. 

Do&or  Sydenham   follows  a  Me- 
thod of  this  kind  to  very  good  pur- 
pofe,  (a)  as  he  tells  us;  and  he  di- 
rected his  Patients  ill  of  Dysenteries 
to  drink  cold  Whey,  and  to  have  it 
warm  in  a  Clyfter  at  the  fame  time, 
but  without  Sugar  or  any  thing  elfe 
being  mix'd  with  it.    He  conftantly 
obferv'd  that  no  more  Blood  was  to 
be  feen  after  four  Clyfters :  and  if 
the  fick  Perfon  is  then  put  to  Btd 
he  is  fure  to  fweat  plentifully  ;  the 
Whey  getting  into  the  Mafs  of  Blood, 
as  he  fafpefts.    In  all  this  Sweating 
they  were  only   to  drink  of  warm 
Milk ;  and  in  cafe  of  relapfing,  the 
fame  Method  was  to  be  repeated. 
He  tells  us  that  Doftor  Butler,  who 
went  with  the  Lord  Howard  to  Tc- 
tuan,  cur'd  many  of  the  Envoy's  Re- 
tinue and  of  the  Moors  this  very  way? 
without  either  of  them  knowing  any 
thing  of  their  Practifing  in  the  fame 
Method.    But  this  Method  is  likely 

owing 


(<0  Prax.  pag.  191.  Ecf.  Lond*  1585. 


Of  a  Dy  fen  tery.         24  £ 

owing  to  Vander  Heyderfs  Book,  which 
was  much  talk'd  of  at  that  time. 
This  I  thought  neceflary  to  be  laid 
of  the  Pra&ice  of  thefe  Whey-Clyf- 
£ers.  At  Sea  it  is  common  enough 
to  give  Clyfters  of  thin  Water-Gruel, 
with  which  they  fweat  fometimes, 
but  not  commonly. 

§.  L.  As  Aftringent  Medicines  Aftrin- 
are  the  Helps  Phyficians,  in  all  Ages,  j^"^3"4 
have  efpecially  depended  on,  fo  they  mceVicfne$, 
are  brought  down  to  Pofterity  in  the 
greateft  Number.  And  as  they  are 
mod  numerous,  it  ihews  a  Dyfentery 
is  very  ,  hard  to  be  cur'd:  for  it  is 
not  an  ill  grounded  Obfervation  of 
Cornelius  Celfas,  that  a  Difeafe  is  al- 
ways difficult  to  cure,  which  is  found 
to  have  the  greateft  Store  of  Medi- 
cines recommended  in  order  to  it. 
Some  of  the  beft  fimple  Medicines  of 
this  fort  are  thefe  which  follow :  not 
but  that  there  are  thrice  the  number  to 
be  met  with  among  Authors ;  tho' 
thofe  to  be  nam'd  come  beft  recom- 
mended from  a  longer  Experience  of 
,the  moft  faithful  Authors.  They  are 
then, 

R  3  The  . 


Of  a  Dyfentety. 

The  Roots  of  Tormentil,  Plantain, 
Comfrey,  Water-Lillies,  Sorrel,  Mal- 
low, Dropwort,  and  Paeony  \  This  is 
highly  commended  by  (a)  Galen. 

Leaves  of  Plantain  have  praifes  from 
(b)  Diofcorides  ;  Knot-Grafs,  Cadweed  ; 
theLeaves  of  Willow-Herb  efpecially 
its  Juice  in  Clyfters.  Leaves  of  Oak, 
Sanicle,  Solden  Rod,  common  Winter- 
Green,  common  creeping  Moufe-Ear, 
Agrimony,  Tway-Blade,  Mountain 
Crowfoot,  Cranes-Bill,  Periwinkle,  &c. 

Quinces,  Medlars,  with  which  (c) 
For  eft  us  fays  he  has  cur'd  a  Dyfente- 
ry  after  a  fruitlefs  Tryal  of  many  other 
excellent  Remedies,  Cornels,  Sorbies 
or  the  Fruit  of  the  Way-faring  Tree, 
Sloes,  &cn 

Frankincenfe,  Maftick,  Acorns,  Nut- 
megs, Beans,  Bolearmenick,  Lemnos- 
Earth,  Bloodftone,  Sajthir^  Harts-horn, 
Saifron  of  Steel,  &c. 

The  Seed  of  CrelTes,  call'd  by  Mo- 
ri [on  Naft,  Myrwfhyllum^  is  highly  com- 
mended againft  a  Dyfentery.  Simon 
Pauli  tells  us  how  he  faw  the  Sur- 
geons cure  Dysenteries  when  he  was 

in 


(a)  vj,  de  fimpl.  MeJ.  fkcultat.  (£)  Lib.  2.  cap.  37* 
(O  Obi.  1.  Lib.  22.  1 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

in  a  German  Camp,  by  Tblapfi-Seed 
or  the  SeecJ  of  the  narrow  leav'd 
wild  Crefs  ;  He  gives  half  a  dram  at 
a  time-  1  have  given  it,  but  to 
very  little  purpofe :  and  I  find  it 
makes  thofe  fpit  plentifully,  for  two 
or  three  Hours,  that  take  it. 

From  thefe  and  other  fimple  Me- 
dicines it  is  that  Authors  have  made 
their  Compofitions ;  which  are  to  be 
found  in  great  abundance  in  Books. 
But  I  fhall  only  bring  into  view  fome 
few  of  the  belt  of  them,  (a)  Hippocra- 
tes recommends  to  us  this  Mixture. 

Yabau  purar*  quadrant  em  &  Ru- 
btA  Surculas  tritos*  AdmifcetOj  &  ex 
pingui  aliquo  delingendum  porrigitd. 

(J?)  Galea  fays  he  ufes  this  fuccefsfully. 
9?.  GalUy  Fruffus  Eric*,  Opij,  fwgulo- 
rum  5iv.  cum  aqua  redigito  tn  paflillos 
duorum  obolorum*  Dato  ex  aqua  aut 
vino. 

He  has  this  Form  likewife;  which 
\  have  known  us'd  with  Snccefs. 

R  4  #  .  Vini 


<a)Lib.de  acut.(b)Lib.ix.de  comjvMed.  fecundum  locos*. 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 


5?  Vini  Tderni  Sextar  .vj.  MelL  ft>vj.  Cp- 
quito  firnul  ad  mu\tam  fpijjitudinemy  ute- 
re  fleno  cochlearioy  delingendum  dato. 

It  is  remarkable  enough,  that  An- 
cient Phyficians  us'd  Quicklime,  San- 
darachy  Auripgmentum^  and  many  fuch 
Medicines  in  Clyfters  \  which  are  now 
difcontinued,  tho'  they  feem  to  ex- 
pe&  great  things  from  them. 

Aetim  has  this  notable  Obfervation. 
He  fays,  Alumen  liquidum  tritum  cum 
Ovo  abforbendum  prdbe,  &  rurfus  aqua, 
talida  dilutum  bibendum  fr<xbe^  &  ad- 
miraberfc. 

'Job.  Agricola  fays  that  Vitriol  of 
Iron  is  a  powerful  Remedy  for  a  Dy- 
fentery*  He  fays  too  that  Sugar  or 
Sweetnefs  of  Allum  is  a  certain  Cure 
for  zDyfentery  ;  Its  Dofe  is  fix  or  feven 
Grains  in  Marmalade  of  Quinces. 

Ludovicus  Mercatm  has  this  Form. 
Acacia  Hypocijlid.  Cam.  Cydonior. 
Sumach  y  Gallar.  a  3j.  CoraL  ruhr.  ujli 

•     -  •  &. 


Of  <f  Dyfentery  249 

loti  aqua  rofar.  3jft.  Opij  3j.  Cinamo- 
mi,  typeri,  a  9iv.  Syr.  de  rof.  ficc.  q. 
f.  F.  majfa  qua  in  pilul.  formula,  exlu- 
beatur  ad  3j,  pondw. 

(a)  Eujlach.  Rudius  efteems  this 
Ele&uary  very  much.  Croci,  Cojli, 
Caflorer,  Afari,  Sem.  Hyofciami,  Opt], 
StyraciSj  a  3j.  Excipe  melle  &  uterey 
Faba  Mgyptia  magnttudine  prabendo. 

(b)  Oribafius  has  a  Medicine  com- 
monly us'd  among  Country  People. 
They  eat  an  Egg  that  is  boil'd  in 
Vinegar. 

(/)  Hercules  Saxonia  commends  this 
Medicine  highly.  Qjjis  Sepia  ujl. 
&  pulverat.  3ij.  SpongU  pice  imbuta  & 
in  ollula  ujla  in  pulverem  redact  a,  Cor- 
tic.  Mororum  indurat.  ablata  pellicula  in- 
teriore  &  pulverifat.  a  Margaritar. 
prap.  Bol.  Armen.  a  3j.  /.  Pulv.  dof. 
,3).  in  liquor e  convenient  i, 

Cbrijlopher.  Engelius  is  full  of  the 
Praifes  of  Acorns.    He  fays  that  there 

is 

(a)  Art.  mcd.  lib.  2.  cap.  34.   (J- J  De  loc.  afF.  cur. 
lib.  4.  cap.  88,  (0  Prael.  part.  2.  cap.  20.  paragr.  7^ 


2$o        Of  a  Dyferitery 

is  'not  a  more  immediate  Cure  than 
it,  for  a  Dyfentery  and  every  Flux  of 
Blood. 

Alex.  Benedicts  found  by  experience 
that  a  Dyfentery  was  cur'd  by  Dry- 
Cupping  in  four  Hours  time. 

(a)  Balth.  Brunnerus  fays  he  al- 
ways found  this  Plaifter  effe&ual,  when 
apply'd  to  the  lower  Belly  and  the 
Region  of  the  Kidneys.  Rad.  Tor- 
mentill.  Mica  Panisy  a  q.  f.  Coq.  in  vi- 
no vel  aceto  ufquedum  pat  Pulticula : 
Mac  inunge  Gojfypinum  Unteum  ventri 
applicandum^ 

(b)  Claudius  DeodMus  commends  this 
as  an  excellent  Powder,  with  which 
he  has  wonderfully  cur'd  even  old 
Dyfenteries.  Cinerum  limacum,  Ajla- 
cor  urn  cum  corticibut,  Offium  Micocrofmi 
calcinatorum,  a  5j.  Terr,  pgillat.  Coral, 
rub.  prap.  a  3ij.  Piper,  alb.  3j.  At  do- 
ps  3j.  cum  vino  rubello  aqua  pyrorum 
fylvejlrium. 

He 


(<0  Conf.  med.  50.  (Jb)  Panth.  Hygiaft.  1. 3.  cap. 
24. 


Of  a  Dyfentery.         2  5 1 

He  fays  too  that  he  ufes  this  Clyfter 
often  to  good  Effect.  ArgilUm  Fu- 
mariam^  f.  cum  laffe  Cbalybeato  decoitum. 

Laz.  River ius  has  this  Ele&uary, 
which  is  very  ufeful  in  the  curing  a 
Dyfenter}.  fy.  Conf.  Radic.  dehor i j  5j. 
Rofar.  rubrar.  veteris,  5  ft.  Pulp&  Pajfu- 
Ur.  Corintbzacar,  5vj.  Croc.  Mart.  3j* 
■Coral,  rubr.  pr&p.  Rafur*  Eborisj  &  C. 
Cervi,  R  3jf  cum  Syrupo  de  Rof.  fleets 
f.  Opiatay  addendo  Spir.  Vitriol.  3  ft. 
De  qua  capiat  magnitudinem  Cajlanex 
tribus  boris  ante  paflum^ 

Pafful.  Corinthiacarumy  ft>ft,  Co- 
quantur  ad  pultis  confiflentiam  in  vino 
veteri.  Transfundantur  fetaceo,  &  cola- 
tar &  admifce  Cor  tic.  Citri  condit.  Pifiatiy 
§  ft-  Pulver.  elect r.  triafant.  &  diamar- 
garit.  frig,  a  3j.  Coral.  pr*p.  &  rofar. 
rubr.  a  3vj.  Jecor.  hup.  prap.  3iij.  F. 
Opiata. 

(}.  LX  (a)  Celfut  gives  us  this  Diureti- 
general  Obfervation  concerning  Diure-  ^e^edi" 
tick  Medicines  ;   that   fuch  things 

as 


(a)  Lib.  4  cap.  15, 


5  2         Of  a  Dyfentery. 

as  promote  Urine  are  ufeful  by 
turning  the  Humour  upon  another 
Part,  when  they  have  their  due  Ef- 
fect :  But  if  they  fail  of  that,  they 
prove  very  hurtful.  As  to  Forms  of 
thefe  Medicines,  they  are  to  be  met 
widi  in  great  Numbers  among  all 
-Authors:  fo  that  'tis  needlefs  to  tran- 
scribe them  into  this  Place.  As  for 
Sweating  Medicines,  Tome  of  thofe  al- 
ready mentioned  in  the  Clafs  of  Af- 
tringents  produce  :  that  EfFeft ;  and 
fuch  as  are  meerly  for  that  purpofe 
are  very  common,  as  Venice  Treacle, 
&c9  which  any  one  will  think  tedious 
to  read. 

Bathing.  §.  LH.  Materials  for  Bathing 
may  be  taken  from  the  mention'd 
Roots  and  Herbs.  .  Jachinus  prepares 
the  Bath  he  fpeaks  of,  this  way. 

Tenera-  germina  quer.c.Mj  breeds  CupreJJi 
•virides,  vel  Pirn  Folia,  &  Corticem..  Co- 
cjumtur  in  ac[ua,  ad  wfeffionem. 

he  Cafes  §.  LIIL  Lafily  ;  As  this  Difeafe 
has  been  attempted  by  various  Me- 
thods, and  a  Multitude  of  Medicines, 
it  has  ftood  many  Tryals  without 

the 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  253 

the  preference  given  to  any  Medicine 
or  Method  more  particularly.  Difap- 
pointments  of  this  Nature  firft  put 
me  to  contrive  that  Medicine,  which 
is  now  univerfally  known  for  its  good 
Succefs,  after  all  the  other  Medicines 
have  faiPd,  and  have  not  given  the 
leaft  Check  to  the  Difeafe.  And  as 
this  is  at  prefent  out  of  doubt,  I  think 
it  fufficient  to  have  nam\i  it,  efpeci- 
ally  fincel  dcTnot  intend  to  communi- 
cate it,  after  the  barbarous  and  un- 
genteel  Treatment  of  fome  very  igno- 
rant Phyficians,  whom  Power  enabled 
to  unhandfome  Attempts  againft  both 
the  Medicine  and  my  felf.  I  lhall  there- 
fore proceed  in  the  foregoing  Courfe 
of  my  Method,  to  give  a  few  Hi- 
ftories  of  People  in  different  Cir- 
cumftances  that  were  cur'd  of  Dyfen- 
term  by  the  Means  of  the  foregoing 
Medicines. 

Mr.  James  Burnet  Was  ill,  in  169J,  Hiftory2> 
of  a  violent  Dyfentery.  His  Stools  were 
loofe  and  bloody  :  He  was  muchgrip'd 
and  emaciated.  He  was  feverifh,  and 
had  loft  his  Appetite  to  his  Meat. 
When  I  firft  viiited  him,  I  found  he 

had 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 


had  been  under  the  Care  of  feveral 
Phyficians,  and  that  all  of  them  in- 
lifted  upon  an  aftringent  Courfe,  where- 
of they  had  given  him  a  great  Va- 
riety, and  a  good  Number.  At  that 
time,  I  had  not  fully  compleated  the 
Contrivance  of  my  Medicine  I  after- 
wards pra&is'd  with,  and  therefore 
proposed  to  give  him  Whey-Clyfters. 
But  Clyfters  not  appearing  to  tnem  a 
proper  Method  in  any  Loofnefs,  this 


In  the  mean  time  they  informed  the 
former  Phyfician  they  had  laft  em- 
ployed, who  likewife  exposed  this  dan- 
gerous Method  of  a  young  Phyfician. 
Thus  Matters  went  for  feveral  Days, 
till  his  Ilnefs  growing  more  violent  I  was 
again  fent  to,  and  then  I  was  acquaint- 
ed writh  the  Caufe  of  the  Delay ;  but  it 
prov'd  no  longer  an  objeftion  when  I 
told  them  the  Method  was  none  of 
my  contriving,  it  could  not  be  atten- 
ded with  any  ill  Confequence,  and 
many  Lives  had  been  fav'd  that  way* 
Wherefore  I  order'd  four  of  thefe 
Clyfters  to  be  got  ready,  and  to  be 
given  him  fucceffively,  always  one  af- 
ter the  former  was  thrown  off ;  Then 

to 


Propofal  was 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  255 

to  put  him  to  Bed  after  he  had  paft  the 
fourth.  He  was  ordered  to  drink  of 
new  Milk  only,  till  my  next  Vilit.  He 
fweat  very  plentifully,  and  had  not  a 
bloody  Stool  after  the  firft  Clyfter; 
his  Gripings  went  off,  and  he  had  no 
Stool  of  any  fort  in  twenty  four 
Hours :  Yet,  he  continued  to  drink 
the  Milk  for  feveral  Days,  in  all 
which  he  kept  from  his  Diftemper. 
So  I  took  leave  of  him  to  recover  his 
Strength  by  a  good  Diet. 

Captain  Braxton,  in  Colonel  Gib-  Hift.ir. 
fon^s  Regiment,  was  taken  ill  of  a 
Dyfentery  about  the  time  he  and  the 
Regiment  left  Newfoundland.  It  ftuck 
by  him  all  the  Voyage  ;  and  being  ve- 
ry ill,  and  having  an  Opportunity  of 
leaving  the  Fleet,  he  went  afhoar  at 
Plymouth :  where  he  took  Medicines 
from  fome  Phyficians  and  Surgeons,  but 
without  any  Succefs.  So  he  removed 
to  London,  and  put  himfelf  into  the 
Care  of  Doctor  Martin  Lifter  and  fome 
other  Phyficians.  They  treated  him 
with  Ipecacuana,  and  fuch  other  Me- 
dicines as  I  have  lately  related.  At 
laft,  after  above  two  Months  Ilnefs, 

every 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

every  thing  proving  unfuccefsful,  he 
came  under  my  Dire&ion.  His  Stools 
continued  plentiful,  and  in  great  Num- 
bers :  He  had  feldom  fewer  than 
twenty  in  a  Day  and  a  Night ;  his 
Belly  was  fwoln  by  the  pertinacious 
Opiniatrety  in  aftringing  Medicines; 
he  had  a  Shortnefs  of  Breath  ;  he  had 
no  Stomach  to  his  Meet  ;  he  had  a 
violent  Drowth,  was  Feverifh,  and 
could  not  fleep  for  his  Gripes  and 
Calls  to  Stool.  His  Stools  were  full 
of  Blood,  Skins,  and  Slime. 

I  laid  afide  all  his  former  Medi- 
cines except  the  Decocium  album,  which 
he  ftill  took  of,  commonly  for  his  Drink* 
And  as  it  was  early  in  the  Morning 
that  I  firft  -vifited  him,  I  came  foon 
enough  m  the  Day  for  him  to  take 
the  following. Powder. 

Pulver.  Rad.Rbabarbar.  eleffi,  3j. 
Cortk.  Cinamomi)  3fi>#  M.  &  fumat 
quantocius. 

In  my  Vifit  that  Evening,  I  found 
this  Powder  had  not  given  more 
Stools  than  he  had  before  ;  but  they 
were  as  bloody,  and  his  Belly  kept 
fweird.    His  Gripes  tho'  were  no- 


Of  a  Dyfentery. 

thing  fo  fharp.  That  Evening  he  took 
a  Dofe  of  my  Medicine  about  Bed- 
time. fNext  Morning  he  told  me, 
in  a  defponding  Tone,  that  he  had 
more  Stools  in  the  Night  than  ufual  : 
But  I  found  there  was  not  a  Drop  of 
Blood  in  any  of  them,  that  he  had 
not  been  grip'd,  and  that  his  Belly 
was  fallen,  neither  was  his  Drought 
nor  Fever  fo  troublefome ;  Nay,  his"  laft 
Stools  were  more  confiftent  and  thick, 
which  I  told  him  was  a  confiderable 
Amendment.  However,  he  took  not 
of  any  thing  all  that  Day,  only  he 
drank  the  Decoff.  album,  and  at  Night 
going  to  Bed  he  took  a  Dofe  of  the 
Medkine,  and  a  third  was  left  for 
him  to  take  next  Morning.  He  flept 
well  that  Night  and  had  only  one 
Stool  of  a  good  and  natural  Confif- 
tence  by  the  Morning,  and  fuch  an- 
other towards  the  Evening,  but  al- 
ways natural.  The  third  Evening  he 
had  not  any  Medicine,  yet  he  flept 
well  that  Night,  and  without  any 
the  leaft  Return  of  his  Diftemper.  I 
ordered  him  fome  little  thing  to  pre- 
vent a  Relapfe,  which  had  likewife 
very  good  Succefs :  For  he  went  abroad 
S  in 


2$8        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

in  a  Week  after  I  had  left  him,  perfectly 

well  of  his  Dyfenterj. 

Hift.nr.  In  Jugujl  1698  I  was  defir'd  to  vl- 
fit  Mrs.  Cryer  at  Epfom.  This  Lady 
came  from  Barbadoes  into  Europe  to  be 
cur'd  of  a  Dyfentery ;  and  after  taking 
many  Medicines  from  Sir  Richard 
BUckmore  and  others  in  London,  £he 
was  fent  to  Epfom  to  drink  the  Wa- 
ters. But  they  very  foon  and  mani- 
feftly  difagreeing  with  her,  fhe  was 
perfwaded  by  her  Friends  to  have  my 
Advice.  She  was  almoft  reduced  to 
a  Skeleton,  had  no  Defire  to  eat ,  fhe 
had  many  (limy  and  bloody  Stools, 
and'  was  opprefs'd  with  Griping  and 
V  apours. 

Her  Condition  being  thus  extreme 
ill,  I  gave  her  but  fmall  Hopes  of  re- 
covering. I  told  her  plainly  that  tho' 
my  Medicine  was  well  known  in 
Barbadoes  and  other  Iflands  in  the 
Wefl-Indies,  and  that  I  feldom  fail'd  of 
Succefs  with  it  in  fuch  Cafes  here,  when 
all  other  Methods  and  Medicines  have 
been  baffled,  yet  I  thought  fhe  had  fo 
little  Life  remaining,  that  I  doubted  of 
her  attaining  to  any  tollerable  degree 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  2 

of  Health,  tho'  cur'd  of  her  bloody 
Stools.  Having  made  this  Prognoftick, 
my  next  Bufinefs  was  to  do  the  beft  -for 
her  in  thefe  defperate  Circumftances. 
And  therefore,  I  prefcrib'd  for  her  in 
the  following  Manner; 

Jfc.  Decoff.  commun.  &  carminativ. 
5x.  Infundatur  in  reBum  Intejlinum 
pro  more  Clyfmatum. 

And  when  fhe  had  render'd  this 
Clyfter,  fhe  was  order'd  to  take  a 
Dofe  of  my  Medicine  at  Bed-time, 
and  another  the  firft  in  the  Morning 
not  drinking  of  any  thing  for  an 
Hour  after  each  Dofe.  But  as  fhe 
was  in  this  low  Condition,  I  pre- 
fcrib'd this  Cordial  to  be  taken  at  any 
time  when  fhe  fainted. 

J£.  Ac[.  Vlmar.  Puleg.  Cerafor.  ni* 
gror.  a  §ij.  Bryon.  compofit.  Tine- 
tur.  Croc.  Caftor.  Spirit.  Salarmoniac. 
2  gut.  xxx.  Syrup,  de  rof.  ficcis  ? j.  /. 
Julaptum,  de  quo  [urn  at  Cochlear,  iv.  vel 
v.  in  fatifcentijs. 


When 


26 o        Of  a  Dyfentery; 

When  I  vifited  this  Lady  next  Morn- 
ing, her  Stools  were  fewer  and  with- 
out any  Blood.  I  defir'd  her  to  con- 
tinue all  that  Day  to  her  Decoci.  alb. 
and  Cordial,  and  at  Night  to  take 
another  Dofe  of  the  Eleftiiary  for 
Fluxes,  The  third  Day,  I  found  her 
very  free  from  her  Dyfentery,  but  fhe 
was  exeeeding  weak,  and  could  not 
take  any  Nouriihment.  I  recommend- 
ed the  white  Drink  to  be  continued 
for  fome  little  time  more,  and  ordered 
her  a  little  Medicine  to  prevent  the 
Dyfentery  returning,  by  which  fhe  re- 
covered fo  well,  that  I  faw  her  in  ve- 
ry good  Health  in  London  in  a  very 
few  Monthso 

Htf.iv.  While  I  was  at  Epfhm  I  was  fent 
for  by  Order  of  her  Royal  Highnefs 
the  Princefs  (her  prefent  Majefty)  for 
a  Servant  who  had  been,  almoft  a 
Year,  ill  of  a  Dyfentery  under  the  Care 
of  Doftor  Gibbons,  and  was  hecome 
Dropfical  by  its  Continuance,  Yet  fhe 
was  recovered  of  her  Dyfentery  in.  24 
Hours  by  one  Dofe  of  my  Medicine0 


Many 


Of  a  Dyfentery.  261 

Many  more  fuch  Inftances  I  could 
adduce;  as  the  notable  Cafe  of  wor- 
thy Mr.  Mdthus\  only  Son,  fowell 
known  every  where  thro'  the  Juf- 
tice  he  thought  he  was  oblig'd  to 
do  the  Medicine.  In  effeft,  I  do 
not  know  that  it  has  faiPd  of  Succefs 
in  many  Years  Practice,  except  in  the 
the  Cafe  of  the  Honourable  Mr.  Step- 
ney  Her  Majefty's  Envoy  to  the  Court 
of  Vtennny  and  whofe  fhining  Parts 
make  him  more  illuftrious  to  Pofterity 
than  the  noble  Character  he  was  vefted 
with  for  many  Years.  This  Cafe 
was  indeed  defperate ;  tho'  .much  more 
might  have  been  done,  but  that  the 
follicitous  Anxiety  of  his  Sifters  haften'd 
his  Fate,  thro'  their  too  great  Care 
by  a  multitude  of  Phyficians.  The  fe- 
cond<  Day  I  vifited  him,  he  pafl:  a 
Caruncle  of  an  Inch  breadth  where  it 
had  been  parted  from  the  Gut,  and 
was  blackifh  and  corrupted;  fo  that 
I  made  the  difmal  Prognoftick  which 
alarm'd  his  Sifters,  as  I  have  now  re- 
lated. 

The  laft  Cafe  I  (hall  add,  is  that  of  Hift.  v. 
of  a  poor  Man  by  Aldgate,  who  was 

recommended 


262        Of  a  Dyfentery. 

recommended  to  me  by  the  Phyficians 
of  the  Difpenfary.  He  was  not  in  a 
oNQpdndition  to  come  to  my  Houfe,  but 
^i^a  Woman  was  dire£ted  to  me  from 
the  College,  who  brought  with  her  a 
Galley-pot  of  four  Ounces,  near  full 
of  a  bloody  ftinking  Slime.  But  it 
.was  too  tough  to  think  it  altogether 
to  be  Slime  :  and  therefore  I  ordered 
a  Servant  to  wafh  it  very  well  in  Spirit 
of  Wine.  Then  I  found  it  was  the  inner 
Coat  of  the  Rectum,  which  I  ftretch'd 
upon  a  Board  and  nail'd  down 
with  Pins,  with  a  Defign  to  carry  it 
to  the  Royal  Society.  As  this  was 
this  miferable  PerfonVCafe,  I  gave 
the  Woman  more  than  half  a  pound 
of  my  Medicine,  without  hoping  for 
Succefs,  and  advifed  him  to  take  fre- 
quently of  it.  Yet,  contrary  to  my 
Expectation,  £hef  returned  for  a  little 
more  of  it,  tjie  Man  being  almoft  per- 
feftly  recovery  :  and  he  was  abfolutely 
reftor'd  to  his  Health  in  a  very  few 
Days  more,  as  the  fame  Woman  again 
informed  me. 


FINIS. 


r.r>  .  :t